Roundabout planned to improve busy Xenia intersection

State and local officials say creating a roundabout will make one of Xenia’s busiest intersections safer for motorists and pedestrians, and the public is invited to weigh-in on the project.

The intersection at North Columbus and East Church streets can be confusing to out-of-town travelers and the Ohio Department of Transportation has a plan to build a roundabout there, accommodating traffic coming in and out of the northeast side of the city on U.S. 42.

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“It can be confusing for folks who aren’t used to this traffic pattern,” said Xenia spokesman Lee Warren.

A public meeting on the project is scheduled for 4 to 8 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Greene County Library.

The project still needs a green light from City Council, but an estimated timeline has construction starting next summer and finishing by 2020.

Residents who live near the intersection, such as Natalie Castle, say there are a lot of crashes there.

“This is a terrible intersection,” Castle said. “somebody got t-boned real bad. I helped get them out of the car. It was smoking and everything.”

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The estimated $1.1 million project, to be paid for through federal and local funds, would require the city to acquire part of 23 properties to create the necessary right-of-ways.

City officials say the intersection needs to be addressed in-part because of the volume of traffic, which is estimated to be more than 13,000 vehicles by next year.

While Castle said the roundabout “is different, but much safer,” long-time resident Mary Artis fears it will be more confusing to drivers.

“I’m used to the roads here. I’ve lived here my whole life. It would be weird to have one here,” she said.

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