Mantua Twp. – In an effort to improve safety in Mantua Township, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) proposes the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of State Route 82 and Chamberlain Road. According to documentation provided by ODOT, this intersection has been chronically identified on the Highway Safety Program list since 2012 due to a clear pattern of angle crashes. It’s been noted that a modern roundabout intersection is the preferred countermeasure to improve safety by reducing the number and severity of crashes.
Project details are posted online. In addition, the public is invited to take part in an online discussion of this proposed project to voice their concerns and have their questions addressed. That meeting will take place on Thursday, October 1st at 5 pm.
To accommodate the intersection reconstruction and resulting utility relocations, purchase of permanent and temporary rights-of-way and private drive relocations will be required. According to Brian Peck, Environmental Specialist at ODOT District 4, the project may require acquisition of permanent right-of-way from five parcels and acquisition of temporary right-of-way from six parcels. At press time, Peck noted that the project is still in the preliminary engineering phase and as such, right-of-way acquisition has not been authorized.
While the addition of a roundabout would change traffic flow, according to Peck, there is no plan to change the posted speed limits; posted speed limits are 45 MPH on SR 82 and north on Chamberlain, while Chamberlain south of the intersection is posted at 40 MPH. The intersection will be closed during a portion of the project construction; detours will be posted to minimize disruption to local schools and the traveling public. ODOT noted that properties adjacent to the project area will still be accessible; substantial traffic disruptions are not expected with the project. If the proposed project continues, construction work will begin in 2021 and be completed in 2022. The current estimated construction cost is approximately $2,000,000.
Peck noted that the best ‘nearby’ roundabout example is the one located at Powdermill Road & Summit Road in Franklin Township. He also noted that Portage County has implemented similar projects located in the City of Kent (Summit Street at Ted Boyd Drive and at Risman Drive).
For more information on the proposed project, contact Brian Peck at 330-786-4931 or Brian.Peck@dot.ohio.gov For project details and a link to join the online public discussion on October 1st at 5 pm, visit www.transportation.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odot/projects/projects/111007.
