Prairie Township hopes to piggy-back its application to help fund a portion of the West Broad Street Improvement Project on a separate state application to fund a multi-million dollar road safety project.
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) hopes to enhance roads by extending medians and sidewalks and closing driveways, as well as implementing further safety measures at intersections, with federal highway funds totaling $9 million.
The township plans to coordinate an application that coincides with the ODOT application for related items, such as pedestrian-level street lights, bus shelters, and added plants and trees to improve the aesthetics of medians.
“We thought that if we worked with them (ODOT), it would strengthen the application,” said Prairie Township Administrator Tracy Hatmaker at the trustee meeting held on May 7.
To assist in the application process and redefine the proposal, the township contracted with LBJ, Inc., an engineering firm out of Dayton, for $2,500. The application is due at the end of July.
In other news, the Franklin County Sheriffs Department warned residents to keep their garage doors closed to avoid thefts.
“We had a rash where people were getting stuff stolen,” said Corporal Greg Goodrich.
Officers still notice a lot of open garage doors.
“Hit that button and keep the door closed,” said Goodrich.
