ODOT Holds Event Ahead of Anticipated Opening this Week of SR 309 Roundabouts

LIMA, Ohio (Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022) – The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) held an event today ahead of the opening of two, newly-constructed roundabouts, one each at Napoleon and Thayer roads on State Route 309, east of Lima.

Representatives with ODOT, Allen East Local Schools, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol led the event that was held at the intersection of State Route 309 and Napoleon Road.

State Route 309 between Pevee and Cool roads has been closed since June 1 during the construction of the roundabouts, and for the replacement of three culverts. Both the Napoleon and Thayer intersections, and the closed section of State Route 309 will open at the same time, hopefully by Friday.

“Both Napoleon and Thayer roads were consistently ranked high in crash rates when compared to similar intersections elsewhere in the state. We are confident we will see a significant safety improvement here as we have around the state where roundabouts have been implemented,” said Chris Hughes, ODOT District 1 deputy director.

“Having the intersections and the roadway open by the start of the school year was obviously important to us. It looks like that will happen and we’re excited for it,” said Mel Rentschler, superintendent of Allen East Schools. “We appreciate the efforts of ODOT and the contractor, Helms and Sons, to adhere to the promised schedule,” he said.

ODOT held a public event in the spring at Allen East Schools where drivers were able to navigate through a simulated roundabout in a golf cart under the direction of ODOT engineers. Although roundabouts are growing in number in the state, they remain sparse in northwest Ohio.
“Roundabouts are proven to be exponentially safer than a typical two-way, stop-controlled intersection. Communities adapt well to the change and we expect the same to happen here,” said Hughes.

According to Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) study results, converting a two-way, stop-controlled intersection to a single-lane roundabout can result in a 40% reduction in total crashes, 75% reduction in injury crashes, and 90% reduction in fatal crashes.

The intersections were part of more than 150 statewide that were selected by Governor DeWine for review and safety improvements.