COLUMBUS, Ohio — The state announced several recommendations to improve a heavily traveled section of U.S. 23 between Columbus and Toledo.
According to a release from Gov. Mike DeWine's office, daily travel on a 23-mile stretch of U.S. 23 from Worthington to Waldo exceeds the road's capacity by 30%. This causes regular traffic crashes and significant congestion.
The state says, between 2020 and 2024, nine people were killed and 72 people were seriously injured in crashes within the 23-mile stretch.
The average rush-hour commute is currently 40 minutes and by 2050, the Ohio Department of Transportation expects that commute time to increase to 75 minutes.
"This small stretch of U.S. 23 is a vital corridor for freight, and those living and working in this area depend on it - but this road is not on par with the other routes that connect our major cities and even some of our mid-sized communities," said Governor DeWine.
Pete Susey said he commutes along 23 multiple times a day. He said it’s a road he typically tries to avoid if he can.
"If I have to go to 270 and that route, I won't hit this road, I'll take a back road,” Susey said.
Susey said the biggest issues he sees along 23 are too many drivers and the excessive number of traffic lights.
"That's the biggest challenge is all the lights. Everybody's stopping and going,” Susey said.
ODOT's recommendations are divided into seven sections and would eliminate nearly all of the 39 traffic lights along the corridor, bringing the total number of signals to seven or fewer. The proposal would also widen lanes, add several interchanges and construct overpasses to cut future rush hour travel time to less than 30 minutes.
In addition, it would reduce the number of traffic lights from 39 to 7.
ODOT estimates these recommended upgrades would reduce traffic crashes by 50%, preventing about 250 crashes.
"There's a wreck everyday on this road, everyday there's someone runs a red light, someone hits another person I mean its from Lewis Center all the way down, and one wreck will just hammer this place, put it to a stop,” Susey said.
Willow Chalko leaves about an hour of travel time to get from Reynoldsburg to Delaware on 23 everyday.
"If there's even like the littlest hint of an accident coming up north, its gonna keep me back like 15-20 minutes,” Chalko said.
Despite the current challenges of U.S., Chalko does have some concerns about the impacts of the proposed changes to businesses along that road.
"If I'm coming northbound, can I still get to Sheetz or any of the other stores on this side?" Chalko said.
"These recommendations along U.S. 23 from Worthington to Waldo will improve safety and congestion for residents in these communities as well as those who commute through this area," said Governor DeWine. "No matter what strategy the statewide study recommends on how to build a freeway between Toledo and Columbus, these U.S. 23 improvements must happen regardless.”
ODOT estimates the recommendations would cost between $1.4 to $1.9 billion. The recommendations are not final plans as ODOT will present more details on options during five public meetings in the coming months.
To read all of the recommendations, click here.