State provides funding for Huron County roundabout

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Jack Marchbanks today announced more than two dozen road safety projects that target areas with a history of severe and deadly crashes. One of those projects is in Huron County. As part of ODOT's Highway Safety Improvement Program, nearly $87 million will be invested into 28 roadway safety projects in 22 counties, with the majority of the projects focused on improving dangerous intersections. According to ODOT, crashes at intersections account for roughly 30 percent of all traffic deaths each year, killing 362 people in 2023 and 104 people so far this year. The project that the state is funding in Huron County is a roundabout planned for Ohio 61 at U.S. 224. "When it comes to our roadways, safety will always be our top priority," said Governor DeWine. "Our goal is to save lives by investing to improve dangerous intersections." Intersection improvements include the construction of 19 roundabouts, which have been shown to significantly lower the risk of deadly crashes at intersections. Studies by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) show that roundabouts achieve a 44 percent reduction in crashes and reduce serious and deadly crashes by nearly 90 percent at two-way stop intersections. When roundabouts replace a traffic signal, FHWA found a 48 percent reduction in crashes and a nearly 80 percent drop in serious and deadly crashes. "ODOT's mission includes building and maintaining a transportation system that is safe. It's a responsibility we take very seriously," said ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks. "However, we also need drivers to do some very basic things like follow the speed limit, buckle up, drive sober, and above all pay attention." Highway Safety Improvement funding will also extend the I-90 Lake Effect Corridor's variable speed limit zone, which has led to a 35 percent decrease in crashes along the corridor. Since 2017, ODOT has proactively lowered the speed limit on digital signs along 12 miles of I-90 when dangerous snow squalls reduce visibility and cover the highway. Approximately $2.3 million in grant funding will be used to extend the corridor an additional six miles west near the SR 306 interchange.