ODOT TO UNVEIL INITIAL CONCEPTS FOR U.S. ROUTE 23 IN DELAWARE COUNTY

Seeking public input on corridor between Waldo and I-270

DELAWARE - The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) District 6 invites community members to participate in public meetings for the study of U.S. 23 in Delaware County and the surrounding areas. This study, led by ODOT and partners at the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) and Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments (TMACOG), will determine the feasibility of creating a free-flow connection between Columbus and Toledo.

The Route 23 Connect Study will evaluate options for improvements to U.S. 23 between Waldo in Marion County and Interstate 270 in Franklin County, which routinely experiences bottlenecks, congestion, and unreliable travel times.  With some sections of U.S. 23 already over-capacity, traffic volumes through Delaware County are expected to increase as the region continues to grow. 

The public meetings to learn more about the needs for the corridor and some initial concept solutions will be held next month.  There will be one virtual meeting and two in-person meetings, all with the same information presented.  Community members are encouraged to attend any meeting that best fits their schedule. The presentation will begin at the start of each meeting. 

• November 3, 2021 at 12:00 PM (virtual meeting)
  Online: https://publicinput.com/23connect
  Phone: 1-855-925-2801, Meeting Code: 4637
• November 10, 2021 at 12:00 PM (in-person)
  Delaware County Fairgrounds, Merchant Building
  236 Pennsylvania Ave., Delaware, OH 43015
• November 10, 2021 at 6:00 PM (in-person)
  Delaware County Fairgrounds, Merchant Building
  236 Pennsylvania Ave., Delaware, OH 43015

U.S. 23 is not only an important corridor in Central Ohio, but is one of our state’s most important corridors. U.S. 23 connects Central Ohio – the Midwest’s fastest growing region – with Toledo and our trade partners in Michigan and Canada.  Along with evaluating the existing route, the study includes consideration and evaluation of options to the east or west of U.S. 23, which would avoid the nearly 40 traffic signals along the existing route.

Individuals without computer access can request a transcript and hard copies of the presentation by contacting ODOT District 6. A paper copy of any of the study materials may be requested by contacting Anthony Turowski at (740) 833-8186.

Individuals who require interpretation services or a reasonable accommodation to participate in this meeting should contact ODOT District 6 prior to October 27, 2021. Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin or disability.

Questions or comments regarding this study may be directed to Anthony Turowski, project manager, at (614) 833-8186, or by email at Anthony.Turowski@dot.ohio.gov. Comments must be received by December 13, 2021.

***