ODOT Announces Plans For Roundabouts At Three Rural Intersections

Local News, WFIN Top Story

(From the Ohio Department of Transportation District 1)

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) District 1 has concluded the public involvement process for three proposed roundabouts and selected the layouts to carry forward into the detailed design phase. All three intersections have received funding through Ohio’s Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) to enhance safety.

“We are excited to move these projects forward. Roundabouts have proven to be effective at our rural intersections,” said Chris Hughes, ODOT District 1 deputy director. “Where we have built them in Allen and Van Wert counties there have been zero fatal crashes, injury crashes are down 72% and crashes overall are down 36%,” said Hughes.

Roundabouts alleviate crash severity by reducing speed and conflict points.

 

State Route 67 and State Route 235 in Roundhead Township, Hardin County

A centered, circular, single-lane roundabout will be built. This design delivers the best safety benefit at a lower construction cost. Construction is tentatively set for Fall 2028.

Review the project documents online at transportation.ohio.gov/projects/projects/121970

Questions and comments regarding the design can be sent to project manager Robert Mooney at Robert.Mooney@dot.ohio.gov or 419-999-6987.

 

State Route 15 and State Route 18 in Noble Township, Defiance County

A three-leg, single-lane roundabout that includes the realignment of Stever Road northwest of the roundabout will be constructed. The primary benefits of this design over the four-leg roundabout alternative are lower construction costs and right-of-way impacts. Construction is tentatively set for Fall 2027.

Review the project documents online at transportation.ohio.gov/projects/projects/121294

Questions and comments regarding the design can be sent to project manager Anna Watkins at Anna.Watkins@dot.ohio.gov or 419-999-6914.

 

State Route118 and Wren-Landeck Road in Liberty Township, Van Wert County

A single-lane roundabout positioned northeast of the intersection will be constructed. The layout optimizes safe entry angles and balances residential and agricultural right-of-way impacts. Construction is tentatively set for 2028

Review the project documents online at transportation.ohio.gov/projects/projects/120693

Questions and comments regarding the design can be sent to project manager Morgan Gerdeman at Morgan.Gerdeman@dot.ohio.gov or 419-999-6869.

 

Addressing public concerns

During the public comment period approximately half the comments received voiced support for the roundabouts. Common questions and concerns include:  

  • Roundabout Size: The roundabouts will be large enough to support the turning radius of large vehicles and farm equipment. The dimensions will be similar to those previously built in Allen County and Van Wert County where trucks and farm equipment are able to easily navigate the roundabouts.
  • Traffic Signal: Traffic signals can reduce some types of crashes but can also increase other types of crashes. Traffic signals are most appropriate for intersections where high traffic volume can cause gridlock. Roundabouts are a better solution to keep traffic flowing and reduce serious crashes at these rural intersections.
  • Navigation Applications: The use of navigation applications which recommend the fastest route can contribute to safety concerns. ODOT will continue to advocate for application routing that mitigates the negative impacts to communities.
  • Cost: Ohio has money set aside for addressing rural high crash locations. Crash data is used to determine where a project can provide the most safety benefit.