After an ODOT representative spoke to the Ross County Commissioners Monday, February 13th, about improving traffic beyond the north end of Bridge Street, Kevin Coleman spoke with the district office on Eastern Avenue.
Matt McGuire, Public Information Officer for District 9, says they are doing preliminary studies on improving traffic just south of Adena Regional Medical Center. He said rush hour Kenworth employee traffic moving south on State Route 159, trying turn left at the traffic light to go south on the US 23 freeeway, causes a major slowdown.
McGuire said this study started a few years ago when ODOT planned to remove the Overbridge Road overpass, when they looked into the surrounding transportation network - including county roads like River Road.
ODOT showed the Ross County Commissioners two variations on adding and removing various freeway ramps and altering River Road. The plans would also help with potential development in the area.
McGuire said this is about looking ahead, and the earliest any any construction might start would be probably five years or more. Since nothing is funded yet, there is no publicly accessible information on the plans yet.
Kevin Coleman covers local government and culture for iHeart Media Southern Ohio. For stories or questions, contact the iHeart Southern Ohio Newsroom or Kevin Coleman