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New cable barriers to increase safety on I-675

Map depicting spots where multiple car crashes have occurred on I-675.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Chart showing the number of car crashes on I-675 for the last three years.

ENLARGE PHOTO

More people hurt in I-675 accidents

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By Dave Larsen, Staff Writer Updated 9:51 AM Friday, September 3, 2010

DAYTON — The Ohio Department of Transportation started installing median cable barriers along Interstate 675 on Wednesday, Sept. 1, to help prevent cars from crossing the median into oncoming highway traffic.

The barriers might be the best way to reduce crashes on the 26.5-mile highway, “because we get a fair amount of crossover crashes on 675 where people lose control or whatever and cross over the median,” said Beavercreek Police Sgt. Jim Wuebben.

A review of I-675 traffic crash records from January 2007 through July 2010 shows there were at least three fatal crashes and nine injury accidents that involved vehicles driving into or crossing the highway median.

Cable barriers capture vehicles in the median to prevent crossover accidents, and also prevent vehicles from bouncing back into the same direction of traffic, said Sharon Smigielski, an ODOT spokeswoman.

The new cable barriers will span 9.5 miles of I-675 in Greene County and are scheduled to be completed by Oct. 15, Smigielski said.

“This is part of a statewide program to systematically install cable barrier on 94 miles of highway in Ohio,” Smigielski said. The state is spending $10 million on the safety improvements, she said.

I-675 has yet to see a fatal crash this year, but the number of serious injury crashes through July 30 already has surpassed the 2009 total and quadrupled the number for 2008.

Certain areas of I-675 have a higher volume of serious accidents, according to traffic crash records. The reasons for those crashes were varied and included failure to operate with reasonable control, wet or icy road conditions, and operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Highway design doesn’t appear to be a factor, according to Wuebben. Motorists should be able to handle curves such as the one near the I-675 and U.S. 35 interchange “with no difficulty even when they’re traveling 60 miles an hour,” he said.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is aware of the I-675 traffic crash numbers and is working to reduce them, said Lt. Marty Fellure, Xenia Post commander.

“There is someone assigned to that road day-shift and afternoon-shift for the entire shift,” Fellure said. “We’re out there unless, obviously, we get called off to hand a crash somewhere else,” he said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2419 or dlarsen@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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