The Ohio Department of Transportation proposes to replace two structures, one structure on US 20 just east of SR 45 and one structure on SR 45 just north of SR 307 in Saybrook and Austinburg townships, Ashtabula County.  While the majority of the proposed project will be constructed within existing roadway rights-of-way, a minor amount of new permanent and/or temporary right-of-way is needed to facilitate project construction.  This includes the need for temporary right-of-way from the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) listed Eliphalet Austin House located at 1879 State Route 45.

     The $2,956,076 project is currently scheduled to begin construction in the summer of 2020.  During project construction, a minimum of one lane of traffic in each direction shall be maintained at all times along US 20, except when necessary to close US 20 to vehicular traffic at just north of SR 307 for a maximum of 30 consecutive days to replace the structure.  The official detour route for this closure will utilize SR 45 and SR 84.  Additionally, a minimum of one lane of traffic in each direction shall be maintained at all times along SR 45, except when necessary to close SR 45 just north of SR 307 to vehicular traffic for a maximum of eighty consecutive days to replace the structure.  The official detour route for this closure will utilize SR 307, SR 534 and SR 84.  These two closures shall not occur simultaneously.  Construction, lane restriction, roadway closure and detour information will be posted along US 20, SR 45 and all intersecting side streets and on the ODOT District 4 web page, www.transportation.ohio.gov/dist4, prior to the start of project construction. Access shall be maintained to all adjacent properties, businesses and intersecting side streets for the duration of the project.  

     To ensure the decision-making process is comprehensive, ODOT is seeking comments from the public about the social, environmental and economic impacts of the proposed project.  Environmental impacts include those involving archaeological, architectural and ecological resources, regulated materials and the general location of the project.  Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act requires Federal agencies (and in this case ODOT) to consider the effects of their actions on historic properties.  The Section 106 process seeks to incorporate historic values into project planning through consultation among agencies, and other parties, with an interest in the effects of an undertaking on historic properties.  Individuals or organizations with a demonstrated interest in the efforts of an undertaking on historic properties, including the Eliphalet Austin House, can become a Section 106 consulting party.  The various consulting parties work together to discuss options, provide multiple viewpoints, and strive to seek common agreement on the incorporation of historic preservation values into a project.  If you are interested in becoming a Section 106 consulting party or if you have comments on the project please contact Sean Carpenter, Environmental Specialist at (330) 786-2274 or by electronic mail at sean.carpenter@dot.ohio.gov.  Forward comments or requests by January 22, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:    

Sean Carpenter

Environmental Specialist

Ohio Department of Transportation, District 4

330-786-2274 or sean.carpenter@dot.ohio.gov

MEDIA CONTACT:                                   

Brent Kovacs

Public Information Officer

Ohio Department of Transportation, District 4

330-786-2208 or D04.PIO@dot.ohio.gov