ODOT District 10 Holds Public Meeting on State Route 7 Improvements
Marietta, OH – The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) District 10 gathered community members on Tuesday evening at the Armory to discuss planned enhancements for State Route 7. The public meeting focused on the proposed Logistics Lane Project, designed to boost safety and accommodate future traffic increases.
Public Information Officer Ashley Rittenhouse emphasized that the project aims to address two main concerns: reducing a concerning pattern of crashes in the affected section of State Route 7 from Veto Road to Northern Blue Knob Road, and preparing for significant anticipated traffic growth. “Safety is our top priority,” Rittenhouse stated, referencing studies that project substantial traffic increases that the current road configuration cannot support.
Key initiatives discussed included the implementation of Restricted Crossing U-Turns (R-Cuts) at the Veto Road and Gravel Bank Road intersections. This design simplifies traffic movements, thereby reducing conflict points. Additionally, a new interchange is proposed for the Northern Blue Knob Road intersection to further enhance traffic flow and safety.
The project also aims to address consistent flooding issues in the area, close to the Ohio River, by incorporating flood risk reduction measures within the improvements.
“R-Cuts are proven to reduce crashes, and while new to our area, they are successfully used nationwide,” Rittenhouse highlighted.
The meeting featured various displays detailing crash data, flood risks, and architectural sketches of the proposed plans, allowing residents to ask questions and provide feedback. A 30-day public comment period will follow, during which community members can submit their thoughts via mail, email, or phone. ODOT plans to finalize its project design after considering public and stakeholder feedback, with construction scheduled to begin in 2028.
For further details or to submit feedback, visit transportation.ohio.gov/logisticslane or contact Matthew First at Matthew.First@dot.ohio.gov.
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