Powell City Council approved an ordinance to make turn restrictions at the Liberty and Olentangy streets intersection permanent during its regular meeting on on Tuesday.

Drivers will no longer be able to make left turns from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Council approved the restrictions in June as a temporary measure during the closure of State Route 315. The roadway was shut down for a construction project and was reopened to traffic on Aug. 1.

“It’s a step in the right direction,” said Powell Mayor Brian Lorenz.

Lorenz said Powell law enforcement will do its best to enforce the restrictions, while patrolling about 8 square miles of city roads. Lorenz said the measure was a “low hanging fruit item” that council could take advantage of at minimal cost to city residents.

Some council members have said the restrictions helped the flow of traffic during the evening commute through Powell.

Vice Mayor Jon Bennehoof said he supported Councilman Daniel Swartwout’s comments from the Development Committee that city staff and police have done excellent work on the project.

City representatives received positive feedback from business owners about the restrictions, Powell City Manager Steve Lutz said.

In August, Councilman Tom Counts said drivers have good options to make left turns in both directions on Liberty Street at Murphy Parkway and Grace Drive before arriving at the Liberty-Olentangy street intersection.

In other business, council:

• Approved an ordinance to provide the City of Powell with a contracting procedure for the construction of the Park at Seldom Seen Road. The initial bids the city received a month ago exceeded the available funds for the project. The action taken Tuesday would allow the city to directly negotiate with one or more contractors depending on their specialty.

Powell City Council’s next meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 19.