Safety issue discovered from above prompts local intersection redesign

Clayton studied the intersection at Hoke Road and Salem Avenue and discovered improvements needed for safety. GOOGLE EARTH

Clayton studied the intersection at Hoke Road and Salem Avenue and discovered improvements needed for safety. GOOGLE EARTH

A highly-traveled Clayton intersection is expected to see some safety improvements soon after a problem was found from the air.

The intersection at Hoke Road and Salem Avenue was studied by Choice One Engineering, which observed something that was not noticeable from the street level.

An aerial view of the intersection shows that the lanes do not match up, which can contribute to vehicles traveling across lanes when turning from one street to the next.

Officials said the issue causes more accidents at this intersection.

The total cost of the planned improvement project is about $329,000, and that will be paid for by a safety grant the city applied for through the state of Ohio.

The city will cover the cost of the engineer, which is expected to be $24,900.

“The city requested the grant to alleviate traffic accidents at the intersection,” said Clayton Director of Development Jack Kuntz.

The project will line up the lanes, make slight traffic signal changes, replace catch basins, curbs and the median.

It will also eliminate the left-hand turn at northbound Salem Avenue into the True North convenience store.

The project is set to begin when school lets out for the summer, in the middle of May, and it is expected be completed by the middle of August.

“This grant is another opportunity for Clayton to address a safety concern within our community, making Clayton safer for everyone who travels through this area on a daily basis,” Kuntz said.

The contractors for this project are L.J. DeWeese Co. Inc. based in Tipp City.

The city looks to apply for the same grant later this year for a similar project at the Union Road and Salem Avenue intersection.

If the city receives that grant, the project will start in 2020, Kuntz said.

“This is another project concentrating on the Salem and Hoke Road corridors where interest from site developers and potential end-users continue to drive investment and potential future projects within the city’s boundaries,” Kuntz said.

Visit the city's website or contact Kuntz at 937-836-3500 for more information and updates on the road projects throughout the city.

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