It has been more than one and a half years since the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) revealed its consideration of building a roundabout to reduce the number and severity of crashes at the intersection of State Route 46 and New Road in Austintown. The idea has generated both pro and con opinions since then.

According to ODOT, from January 2016 to June 2022, 45 crashes occurred within the study area, including 19 injury crashes and one fatal crash. The predominant crash type was rear-end collisions, accounting for 49% of all crashes. Based on 2021 data, the two-way Average Annual Daily Traffic on SR 46 was 17,057 vehicles per day, with passenger vehicles comprising 91% of the vehicle mix.

Now, ODOT has announced that it will host a virtual open house on the proposal from Saturday, March 8, 2025, to Monday, April 7, 2025, on the project website: publicinput.com/j8622.

Below are some of the concerns regarding the proposed roundabout, and ODOT's responses:

COMMENT:

Removal of the traffic signal at New Road and SR 46 will allow a continuous flow of traffic and create unsafe conditions for the residents of the Lexington Estates neighborhood, located north of the project area at the intersection of SR 46 and N Beacon Drive.

RESPONSE:

Design speeds are expected to be reduced to approximately 20-25 mph for vehicles entering and exiting the roundabout, so northbound traffic exiting the roundabout will be going much slower than in the existing condition. Roundabouts also naturally create more gaps in traffic. Additionally, motorists can choose to turn right onto SR 46 northbound and use a traffic "loon" that will be added to the next adjacent intersection to the north at SR 46 and Notre Dame Avenue/Willow Crest Drive. A loon is an area of added pavement provided to facilitate left-turn or U-turn movements.

COMMENT:

Lexington Estates residents would like to have a traffic signal at the entrance to the neighborhood on N Beacon Drive.

RESPONSE:

To justify a new signal, traffic conditions must meet certain standards, also known as "warrants." Based on a review of the nine warrants that are relevant for the intersection of SR 46 and N Beacon Drive, the intersection does not meet any minimum threshold to recommend installation of a traffic signal.

COMMENT:

Lexington Estates residents would like to have access to the light at Willow Crest Drive.

RESPONSE:

ODOT is not responsible for local routes. These are constructed and maintained by the city, village, county, or township, as applicable, where the route is located.

COMMENT:

A new interchange at SR 11 and Kirk Road, south of the project area, is needed to reduce "through" traffic and alleviate traffic congestion.

RESPONSE:

ODOT performed a preliminary screening of the need elements for an interchange at SR 11 and Kirk Road, including project justification, required additional studies, possible timeframes, expected property impacts, and potential costs. To accommodate the required studies, interchange costs and funding applications, property impacts and relocations, design, and construction, it would take an estimated 15-25 years to construct an interchange at SR 11 and Kirk Road. Millions of dollars in funding would also need to be secured for this major transportation project. Based on this preliminary screening, it was determined that the addition of an interchange at SR 11 and Kirk Road is neither justified nor recommended at this time.

COMMENT:

Rather than a roundabout, add a protected left-turn phase, or install "smart" traffic lights and cameras at the existing SR 46 and New Road intersection.

RESPONSE:

The purpose of the project is to improve safety. Adjusting the traffic signal timing may provide a minor improvement to the intersection’s operational efficiency, but is expected to have little to no substantive impact on crash and injury reduction. Converting the signalized intersection to a roundabout is expected to reduce the occurrence of crashes that result in injury by 60-70%.

COMMENT:

The Lexington Estates entrance at N Beacon Drive requires reconstruction to allow better ingress and egress for larger vehicles (i.e., buses, garbage trucks, etc.).

RESPONSE:

Sidewalks are not included within the scope of the SR 46 and New Road project. There are no existing sidewalks leading up to the intersection, and the next segment of sidewalk is located approximately 1 mile north of the intersection. Sidewalk projects often involve impacts to adjacent properties due to utility relocations, sign relocations, mailbox impacts, tree removals, etc. Due to the costs and property owner impacts associated with their installation, sidewalk requests are typically submitted to ODOT through the township trustees in accordance with their comprehensive plan, which identifies priority locations within the township. Should the township identify the SR 46 corridor as a priority for sidewalks, the township can reach out to ODOT with their request for consideration with a future project.

COMMENT:

A warning is needed for southbound motorists on SR 46, indicating the right lane ends.

RESPONSE:

As part of the preferred alternative, both southbound lanes are through lanes.

COMMENT:

The trees on the east side of SR 46, south of N Beacon Drive, create a sight distance issue.

RESPONSE:

ODOT met with the property owner in May 2024, and the property owner agreed to remove branches that were causing a sight distance issue. ODOT later followed up with an inspection and discovered the property owner had trimmed the trees per our request.

As a result of this initial feedback, the project will include the following improvements:

Traffic signal timing updates at the intersection of SR 46 with Willow Crest Drive and Notre Dame Avenue, and construction of a U-turn area southwest of the intersection, to accommodate U-turn movements for N Beacon Drive motorists who wish to travel southbound on SR 46. The preliminary design for the proposed U-turn area is available below.

 Widening the turn radius of the N Beacon Dr approach at SR 46 to accommodate larger vehicles.

ODOT says it has been in contact with the Associated School Employees Credit Union, which has an office on the northwest corner of the intersection of SR 46 and New Road, regarding potential impacts to their property. ODOT says it will continue to communicate with the Credit Union to address their concerns throughout project development.

The purpose of the virtual open house is to gather community input before final decisions are made. A pre-recorded presentation is available on the website for viewing.

Construction is expected to begin in spring 2027. The project is funded through $61 million in statewide safety grants announced in August 2023.

Comments regarding the project can be submitted on the website or directed to Sean Carpenter, Environmental Specialist, at (330) 786-2274 or Sean.Carpenter@dot.ohio.gov. The project ID is 120083.