This map shows the alternatives for the western portion of Sunbury Parkway.
SUNBURY — Dates and times have been set for meetings on the improved interchange at Interstate 71 and U.S. Route 36/state Route 37 and the proposed Sunbury Parkway.
An in-person meeting will take place from 5-7 p.m. on June 13 in the Northgate Church at 7097 E. state Route 37, Sunbury. A presentation will be given at 6 p.m.
For those unable to attend, there will be two virtual meetings at the project website, which is www.publicinput.com/sunburyparkway. Those are at noon on June 14 and at 6 p.m. on June 15.
“This project’s purpose is to improve safety and reduce congestion at the I-71 interchange and support future growth and east-west connectivity in Delaware County,” said the latest project newsletter issued by the Ohio Department of Transportation. “The purpose of these meetings is to present the alternatives being considered for the proposed improvements, answer questions, and gather feedback from the community that will assist in project decision-making. The same information will be shared at each meeting.”
The proposed Sunbury Parkway would be a 4.3-mile, four-lane road with a 50-miles-per-hour speed limit. “It would be the direct route (instead of U.S. 36/SR 37),” ODOT said. “A multi-use path would be constructed along both sides of Sunbury Parkway.”
There are three alternatives being considered for both the east side and the west side of Sunbury Parkway.
On the east side, “all three alternatives being considered would construct 2.4 miles of Sunbury Parkway from Wilson Road to West Cherry Street,” ODOT said. There would be intersections at Domigan and Galena roads. The alignment alternatives are designated as northern, central and southern, with ODOT recommending the southern.
The west side is more involved. ODOT said the three alternatives would “construct a combined interchange to the south that meets the capacity needs of I-71 and U.S. 36/SR 37” and also “construct 1.9 miles of Sunbury Parkway from U.S. 36/SR 37 at Africa Road, through the new I-71 combined interchange, to Wilson Road.”
A map of the west side of the project has roads marked in green, purple and blue. ODOT said it prefers the green alternative, “based on updated studies. The alignment shifted 75 feet north since it was presented to the public in 2016.”
Public comments will be collected “no later than July 15,” ODOT said. From there, a summary of the comments and ODOT’s responses will be published this fall. A draft of the environmental assessment re-evaluation will then be released in the winter, with public comment requested. Next spring, the preferred alternative will be announced, along with the construction schedule.
Assistant Editor Gary Budzak covers the eastern half of Delaware County and surrounding areas. He may be reached at [email protected].
