Even though the intersection of Route 33 and Johnson Road has caused many accidents, the plans to alleviate the problem have been put on hold for further examination.
The Athens County commissioners wrote a letter to Steve Williams, deputy director of District 10 of the Ohio Department of Transportation, requesting that the “decision to close the median at U.S. Route 33 and Johnson Road (be put) on hold.”
The commissioners said in the letter that they feel that there are many unanswered questions regarding the project.
Those questions include why measures, such as pavement lines and overhead flashing lights, have not been considered, how the improvements of State Route 682 will affect the intersection, such as a roundabout, and the dates and times that ODOT recorded the intersection’s traffic.
ODOT’s main goal is to enhance safety after numerous crashes have occurred at the intersection, including one fatal accident last year, said David Rose, public information officer for ODOT’s 10th District.
“Fifty-five percent of crashes at the intersection are due to left turn movements,” Rose said, adding that ODOT is planning on trying to limit left turns from Route 33 West onto Johnson Road.
Though Rose said that ODOT always works with city officials and would like to ensure that residents and businesses are happy with the changes, the commissioners indicated in their letter to Williams that ODOT did not hold a public hearing on the matter.
While there is no meeting set, the commissioners proposed 5:30 p.m. on March 7.
kf398711@ohiou.edu
