MORE: Huber Heights researches closing Ohio 4 intersection
Since the meeting, Bergman and staff contacted ODOT and a firm, TEC Engineering, for additional information on the feasibility of an intersection study. After recommendations from ODOT on how to conduct the study, TEC Engineering gave the city a $25,000 price tag on the study — a higher cost than an original $10,000 estimate.
Citing the safety concerns at the intersection, council members informally agreed to move forward with the study during a recent work session.
“When this was originally proposed, it was dealing with a safety issue,” said Councilman Ed Lyons. “Even ODOT recognizes that this is a very important process and idea.”
Still, work on any changes to the intersection will be paid from the city of Huber Heights’ state highway fund and any grants the city could receive for the work, Bergman said.
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The study will attempt to identify the best way to reduce crashes at the intersection. Among several proposed alternatives, the city may decide to partially or fully close the intersection. The city and ODOT have already ruled out adding an overpass, traffic signal and roundabout at the intersection.
Partially closing the intersection would create a potential inconvenience for residents on the east side of Ohio 4. Closing off the intersection would force the motorists to exit the neighborhood by turning to the north, requiring a trip on Interstate 70 in order to turn back south.
In October, Police Chief Mark Lightner said he believed closing the intersection would be “the right thing to do.” At that time, Lightner said there had been 15 accidents since 2012 at the intersection, resulting in three fatalities and 20 injuries.
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