Delaware County seeks federal funding for road project

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Delaware County has taken the first step toward improvements at a dangerous intersection.

Delaware County commissioners on Thursday unanimously approved a cooperation agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation to make improvements to the intersection of State Route 3 and South Galena Road.

“As you may know this is a two-way stop intersection,” said Rob Riley, the county’s chief deputy engineer. “There has been a history of some pretty severe crashes at this location. I know there was a school bus crash earlier this year and I actually believe there was actually a severe crash earlier (last) week.”

Preliminary estimates for the project put the price tag at about $1.5 million.

An Ohio Department of Transportation safety study found the necessary improvements should include the addition of signals and turn lanes or a roundabout.

Through the cooperation agreement, the Ohio Department of Transportation will apply for federal highway safety funding for the project.

The project is likely to get underway in 2017.

“This resolution is basically the first step in getting the project off the ground,” said Riley.

Commissioner also approved a measure that will allow the county to take eminent domain action against five property owners in the path of the Sawmill Parkway extension project with whom the county has been unable to reach settlement agreements.

The action will allow the project to continue alongside further negotiations.

“That is in the interest of continuing the project and making sure we uphold our commitment to the contractor to deliver these parcels on time,” said Riley.

The fair market value of the five pieces of property, as determined by the county, total $871,782.

By Dustin Ensinger

[email protected]

Dustin Ensinger can be reached at 740-413-0902 or on Twitter @EnsingerDG.

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