The state has been working on preliminary plans for an $11 million "superstreet" on U.S. Route 35 in Greene County. That project and other attempts at change have been stalled because of funding.
Lt. Douglas Eck of the Ohio Highway Patrol post in Xenia said 12 percent of the crashes his department investigates are within that four-mile stretch of U.S. 35 around Beavercreek.
Eck said the intersection of Trebein and Valley roads is the worst crash zone in Greene County. State troopers noted that some past wrecks have been deadly.
Eck said if the plan moves forward to remove the traffic lights, he believes the road will be safer for everyone.
“We know statistically from looking at other areas that did this (remove lights), that it would decrease our crashes quite a bit,” Eck said.
In a “superstreet” design, drivers wanting to turn left or go straight across an intersection are redirected to turn right and make a U-turn. The new redesign would have a concept similar to the superstreet project along Bypass Ohio 4 in Butler County that opened in 2012.
Jim Pittman of Greene County said he’s not surprised the stretch between Xenia and Beavercreek is a trouble spot.
“These guys doing in excess of 15 miles per hour (above the speed limit) might have something to do with it,” Pittman said. “I think they should do something.”
About the Author