Meeting to focus on US Route 23

0

LEWIS CENTER — The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) will hold a meeting regarding the Route 23 Connect study from noon-2 p.m. Aug. 25 in the Orange Township Hall, 1680 E. Orange Road.

Readers will recall ODOT came up with six concepts (seven if you count doing nothing) to improve traffic flow from Toledo to Columbus along U.S. Route 23 for truckers. The area where there was a slowdown occurred from Waldo through Delaware all the way to Interstate 270. A couple of the concepts which were proposed entailed building bypasses to the east or west of Delaware, which were opposed by many property owners in these mostly rural areas.

“The project team spent the past year evaluating six concepts before announcing that none of the concepts presented could be reasonably implemented and therefore, would not be advanced,” said a post on the Orange Township, Delaware County, Ohio Facebook page. “However, the study is not complete.”

The idea is to make smaller, but important, improvements. That’s why public feedback is needed again as ODOT holds a series of “community partnership” meetings.

“These meetings will be open-house style and involve an interactive, map-based activity,” the post continued. “Each meeting will focus on a specific segment of the study area. You are welcome to attend all or one of these meetings based on the segment your community is located in and/or you are most interested in. The online meeting will replicate this mapping activity for the entirety of the corridor.”

In other township matters, the Board of Zoning Appeals is meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Township Hall. Two variances, one for a sign and one for a setback, will be heard.

The Board of Trustees rescheduled its Aug. 15 meeting to 10 a.m. Aug. 22.

On Aug. 23, the Orange Township Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. in the Township Hall. The hearing will be about rezoning 24 acres at 5351 North Road for a condominium development.

Upcoming in the township is an OSU vs. Notre Dame “Tailgate & Viewing Party” starting at 6 p.m. Sept. 3 in North Orange Park, 7560 Gooding Blvd., Lewis Center. The game starts at 7:30 p.m.

“Join us on Sept. 3rd for food, football and family fun!” said a Facebook post.

One of many busy intersections on U.S. Route 23 is shown in a recent photo.
https://www.delgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2022/08/web1_DSCF9079.jpgOne of many busy intersections on U.S. Route 23 is shown in a recent photo. Gary Budzak | The Gazette

By Gary Budzak

[email protected]

Gary Budzak covers the eastern half of Delaware County. He may be reached at the above email address or on Twitter @GaryBudzak.

No posts to display