ASHLAND (September 29, 2022) – Today the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and City of Ashland cut the ribbon on the first roundabout in Ashland County at the intersection of U.S. 250, State Route 60, and Faultless Drive.
Construction began on the $1.9 million roundabout in May and will open to motorists by the end of day.
This intersection experienced a high frequency of injury and angle crashes for many years, which lead ODOT to study and determine the appropriate safety countermeasure to reduce these type of crashes.
Studies by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) show that roundabouts achieve a 44% reduction in crashes and reduce serious injury and deadly crashes by nearly 90% at two-way stop intersections. Roundabouts can move traffic more efficiently which reduces delays.
"Over the years when we considered how to improve this particular intersection to make it safer for all of our citizens and for out visitors, a roundabout was at the forefront of the discussion," said City of Ashland Mayor, Matt Miller. "The truth of the matter is, statistics have proven that roundabouts are safer than the traditional intersection."
Roundabouts continue to grow in popularity as more and more people recognize the increased safety and traffic-moving efficiency they bring to intersections. While this is the first roundabout in Ashland County, two more will be constructed in 2024. One at the intersection of State Route 89/State Route 302 and one at U.S. Route 42/State Route 302.