Open house looks at proposal for 77/250/39 intersection overhaul
NEW PHILADELPHLIA – ODOT is seeking public input on a proposal to significantly transform the I-77/U.S. Route 250 and State Route 39 intersection.
It’s in the very early stages, but the plan calls for relocating ramps, reconfiguring the I-77-U.S. Route 250 interchange and creating a roundabout at the 39-Bluebell Drive intersection.
ODOT will host an open house on Tuesday, Dec. 2, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Buckeye Career Center in the Joe Carlisle Café.
ODOT Spokesperson Lauren Borrell says there is a lot to figure out before any work can begin, and part of that is getting feedback from locals. She says New Philadelphia city officials initially pursued the project.
She knows that mentioning a roundabout will ruffle some feathers. She says research shows roundabouts greatly reduce traffic fatalities and are a safe option. ODOT is working on Tuscarawas County’s first roundabout in Strasburg at the State Route Route 21 U.S. 250 intersection.
There will not be formal presentation on Tuesday at Buckeye. Instead the public can stop by, check out the proposal, ask questions and provide feedback. There is a link to the proposal on the Ohio Department of Transportation projects page and on the ODOT District 11 Facebook Page.