City of Kenton Announces U.S. 68 and State Route 31 Roundabout Project

The City of Kenton, in partnership with the Ohio Department of Transportation, has initiated a roadway improvement project on U.S. Route 68 (Detroit Street) and State Route (SR) 31 (Main Street) in the City of Kenton, Hardin County, Ohio. 

A Feasibility Study of this improvement was completed in February 2024 with the purpose of evaluating different alternatives to address traffic flow inefficiencies and congestion. As part of the study, the city of Kenton and ODOT conducted an open house public meeting on November 16, 2023, and held an open public comment period from November 16, 2023 to December 18, 2023 regarding the results of a feasibility study describing alternatives to improve the connection between SR 31 to U.S. 68, ultimately recommending Alternative E. See the project website for more information:  https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/projects/projects/119048

The city of Kenton is proceeding with design for the project that will construct a roundabout on U.S. Route 68 near the intersection of Perry Street. SR 31 (Main St) will be rerouted to the proposed roundabout, with a stop-controlled T-intersection east of the roundabout (see the proposed preliminary design below).

Additional work includes sidewalk installation, driveway approach replacements (as needed), and drainage. Permanent and temporary right-of-way acquisition will be required to complete this work. City of Kenton representatives will be in touch with affected property owners beginning in the summer of 2025.

In addition, this project will also include signal replacements at the Franklin and Columbus Street intersections with Detroit Street. No right-of-way acquisition will be required for signal work.

Construction is scheduled to begin in August 2026 and take one year to complete. Temporary traffic disruptions and detours are anticipated during construction. Construction will be conducted in two phases: Phase 1 will close U.S. 68 between Espy Street and Ohio Street while the roundabout and U.S. 68 connections are built on the western end of the project. Phase 2 will close SR 31 between Espy Street and Ohio Street while the SR 31 connections are built on the eastern end of the project. Detour information will be posted prior to the roadway closure, and access shall be maintained to all adjacent properties for the duration of the project. 

Sections of the project are located within the boundaries of regulated FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) of the Scioto River. Impacts to floodplains are anticipated to be minor and result in an overall no change to the floodplain or flood following the proposed project work. A statement of findings detailing the results of the final floodplain analysis will be made available here: http://www.cityofkenton.com/floodplain

The City of Kenton is requesting that any comments you may have regarding the proposed project be submitted by November 30, 2024 to:

CONTACT
City of Kenton
Attention: Cindy Murray
111 West Franklin Street
Kenton, Ohio 43326
(419) 674-4850
safetyservice@cityofkenton.com

Individuals who require a reasonable accommodation to participate in this virtual open house should contact Cindy Murray at the phone number or email address above. Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.