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Axios
2 days ago
- Business
- Axios
6-state highway plan could relieve Route 23 pressure
A proposed six-state highway involving Ohio is meant to boost commerce and give vacationing Midwesterners a direct shot to Myrtle Beach. Why it matters: The new route could help relieve Delaware County roads that are bursting at the seams. Delaware is one of the fastest-growing counties in the country, and its main thoroughfare is dangerous and wildly over capacity. The Ohio Department of Transportation plans to work on the stretch one way or another. Driving the news: ODOT is conducting a $1.5 million feasibility study about a proposed Interstate 73-74-75 corridor spanning from northern Michigan to South Carolina's coast, reported this week. The plan would create a new stretch of highway (I-73) between Findlay and Columbus, with a new bypass connecting Route 23 to I-71 north of Columbus. Flashback: Various ideas for the interstate have been discussed for decades, largely spearheaded by leadership in the Carolinas. Between the lines: The I-73/I-74/I-75 Corridor Association is led by Jimmy Gray, president of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. The vacation spot stands to benefit from a new route that would cut travel time by "hours" for those in Michigan and Ohio. Zoom in: ODOT has been working for years to relieve pressure on Route 23, Delaware County's main road. Last year, the department's Route 23 Connect Study found it has 30% more traffic than it was designed to accommodate, causing congestion, delays and crashes. ODOT's action plan, released earlier this year, calls for $1.6 billion in improvements. Yes, but: ODOT spokesperson Matt Bruning tells Axios that "doing something about US 23 is a separate issue from whether or not there's eventually an I-73." The highway feasibility study will "give decision makers the information needed to determine what the next steps — if any — might be." "US 23 has to be addressed regardless of other ideas and studies. Might there be overlap? Perhaps." What they're saying: U.S. Rep. Dave Taylor (R-Ohio) introduced the resolution supporting ODOT's feasibility study and is a proponent of the interstate. "An interstate through southern Ohio would not just help connect rural communities to the modern economy but would enhance our national security because of multiple key facilities and defense-related companies along the route," he said in a hearing.
New York Post
02-05-2025
- Automotive
- New York Post
Reckless Ohio driver causes multi-vehicle crash by coming to full stop on busy interstate after missing exit — then flees
A reckless driver caused a three-vehicle crash on a busy Ohio interstate when they came to a dead stop after missing an exit and tried merging over during rush hour traffic. The Ohio Department of Transportation posted a jaw-dropping clip that shows a heavy flow of traffic on Interstate 71 moments before the wreck around 5:24 p.m. near downtown Columbus on April 30, The Columbus Dispatch reported. In the clip, a red minivan is seen crawling into the frame in the middle lane of the busy three-lane highway as other vehicles zip around it. Advertisement The driver of the van appeared to have missed the exit heading towards Dayton and decided to take a risk, coming to a full stop in hopes of cutting across two lanes of traffic. As the minivan came to a standstill, two other minivans were forced to abruptly stop behind the reckless driver as vehicles in both adjacent lanes continued to speed past them. Advertisement However, a large passenger van plowed into the back of the minivan, propelling it forward into the other, causing a multi-vehicle accident. The driver of the red van, who caused the wreck, then seizes the opportunity to cross over into the left lane and carelessly merge into the exit, driving off. The reckless driver of the red minivan has not been identified after fleeing from the scene, and no life-threatening injuries were reported, according to the outlet. In the clip, a red minivan is seen crawling into the frame in the middle lane of the busy three-lane highway as other vehicles zip around it. ABC 6 via Ohio Department of Transportation Advertisement 'When you are driving along a major interstate and you miss your exit do you: A) keep driving and get off at the next one or B) come to a complete stop, cause a multi-car rear-end crash and then drive away,' The Ohio Department of Transportation prompted its followers in its post. 'HINT: The answer is NEVER B. Do not be this driver.' Ohio Department of Transportation Press Secretary Matt Bruning told Fox 8 that the driver did the 'worst thing you can do on a highway' if they missed their exit. A large passenger van collided with the rear of the minivan, propelling it forward into the other vehicle, resulting in a multi-vehicle accident. ABC 6 via Ohio Department of Transportation Advertisement 'What this driver did is extremely dangerous and the absolute worst thing you could do,' he said. According to studies by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, around 94% of motor vehicle accidents are estimated to be caused by driver error. A nationwide study released by the personal finance website ValuePenguin in April — used data from the NHTSA, Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), and the Fatality and Injury Reporting System Tool (FIRST) — found that reckless driving was responsible for 6.4% of motor vehicle deaths from 2018 to 2022, totaling more than 12,600 fatalities. In 2021, it led to more than 3,000 deaths, making up 7.1% of that year's motor vehicle deaths.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Spring means increase in littering across Ohio: How you can help
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Your closets and cars aren't the only things that could use a spring cleaning. So could the streets. The Ohio Department of Transportation says that at the start of spring, more cigarettes, cans and other trash appear all over the roads each year. 'It's disgusting out there. It's embarrassing. All of us as Ohioans should be embarrassed at the level of trash that is out there along our roadsides,' said Matt Bruning, press secretary for the Ohio Department of Transportation. All of the cigarette butts, cans and more is left for crews like ODOT to clean up. The same employees tasked with picking up your trash are also the ones who spent all winter plowing roads. So after a busy season, they're met with an overwhelming amount of litter. 'We all can do a little bit to keep one person from having to do a lot,' Bruning said. Red Robin reveals intentions for rest of central Ohio locations after Easton closure Each year, around $10 million worth of taxpayer money goes into litter clean up, money that could be going elsewhere. 'Our Safe Routes to School program which builds infrastructure and programming to help kids get to and from school safely walking and biking has been around $10 million. We could double that program with what we'd save,' he said. Littering is a misdemeanor in Ohio. It can be punished with up to a $500 fine and 60 days in jail. Still, Bruning said it doesn't stop people from throwing their trash out on roadways. 'I think it's hard to fix it because it's a culture change. Just like drunk driving, distracted driving it's a culture change that has to be made,' he said. If you want to help out, the city is hosting the first major clean up event of the year on Saturday. Organizers said if you're interested in volunteering, meet at 10 a.m. at the Wolfe Park Shelter House on 105 Park Drive. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
‘A lot of blowing and drifting snow;' Over 1000 ODOT crews treating snow-covered roads
Several Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) crews continue to treat the roads after Sunday's accumulating snowfall. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Matt Bruning, ODOT Spokesperson, said on social media Sunday that over 1,000 crews were out across the state treating roads. As previously reported by News Center 7, parts of the Miami Valley saw as much as three to four inches of snow on Sunday. TRENDING STORIES: STAY INFORMED: Schools announce delays after wintry weather moves through region 1 in custody after large police presence in Huber Heights neighborhood Deputies rescue 'severely malnourished' horses, goats; man facing animal cruelty charges In addition to snow showers, the winds presented a challenge to ODOT crews. 'Crews are dealing with a lot of blowing and drifting snow,' said Bruning. He posted two photos that showed drifting snow on U.S. 127 south of U.S. 40 south in Preble County. Bruning also asked drivers to give ODOT crews room to work and check for travel information. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
‘Tremendous accomplishment;' Part of busy interstate reopens after Ohio River bridge fire
Part of a busy interstate is back open months after a fire severely damaged it. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The southbound lanes of Interstate 471 approaching the Daniel Carter Bridge reopened Sunday night, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). As originally reported by News Center 7, the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge sustained 'significant damage on the Ohio approach,' Matt Bruning, ODOT spokesperson, said on Nov. 1. TRENDING STORIES: Officers, medics respond to reported shooting in Dayton Are you driving to Wright-Patt? These changes could impact your commute Business closing after 39 years in Greene County The opening came exactly 100 days after a fire damaged the roadway. 'Reopening southbound access to this bridge in just over three months is a tremendous accomplishment,' said Governor DeWine on Friday. 'The closure of these lanes wasn't only an inconvenience, but also a disruption to the supply chain. I applaud our ODOT team and their partners for working hard to finish the project ahead of schedule.' ODOT, Great Lakes Construction, and at least two dozen sub-contractors worked to design both the bridge's demolition and reconstruction. Our news partner WCPO in Cincinnati reports that crews put the finishing touches on the bridges. This included 'grinding and grooving the newly cured concrete deck and some final welding below the expansion seal,' WCPO said. ODOT crews took down barricades, signs, and cones from the closure on Sunday. They also painted the line markings for the interstate. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
