Franklin County is proposing to improve two busy intersections in the Southeast area.
The county hopes to begin work on, and complete, improvements to the intersection of Noe-Bixby Road and Chatterton Road as well as the intersection of Alum Creek Drive and Rohr Road in 2010.
"Our proposed improvements will greatly enhance traffic safety and mobility through this busy intersection," said Franklin County Engineer Dean Ringle of the Noe-Bixby/Chatterton intersection in a statement released Aug. 15.
In the same statement Ringle added about Alum Creek and Rohr Road, "Our proposed addition of two eastbound left turn lanes and a southbound right turn lane will greatly enhance the safety and efficiency of these roadways."
According to Franklin County Engineer’s Information Officer Greg Payne, the county is applying in September for Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) Issue 2 monies to fund the two projects.
"We hope to have the OPWC’s decision by January," said Payne. "We’re just in the beginning stages. The approval of the funding will enable us to prepare studies and plan for the projects."
Payne said cost estimates for the project are not yet available. Also, potential detour routes have not been set yet.
Noe-Bixby Road and Chatterton Road
"We’ve received many complaints from citizens about the traffic at Chatterton and Noe-Bixby. It’s a very busy spot," said Payne. "There have also been issues of accessibility on the side streets off Chatterton between Dunloe Road and Fleet Road."
He said the project could reconfigure lanes, or add turn lanes, and put in new traffic signals at the intersection of Noe-Bixby and Chatterton. The project could also improve access to the side streets by adding a left turn in lane in both directions on Chatterton between Dunloe and Fleet roads.
"We’re purely at the preliminary stages of design," said Payne.
Alum Creek Drive and Rohr Road
The county is proposing to add two left turn lanes on eastbound Rohr Road and a southbound right turn lane on Alum Creek Drive as well as traffic signal improvements.
Payne said commercial development has increased traffic in the area, which raises the need for the improvements.
"There’s increased truck and vehicle traffic and more is expected as the area continues to develop," said Payne.
