Some residents upset with Washington Twp. road widening project

The $3.1 million project making changes to Nutt Road in Washington Twp. has entered its final phase, and some residents on the street are unhappy with the road construction work that they say is damaging trees.

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This is the third and final phase of the project that began in 1996 when a 4,800-foot section was widened from State Route 48 to Quailwood Trail. Phase two, a 2,100-foot stretch from Quailwood to west of School House Park, was completed in 2010.

The project includes widening Nutt Road to three lanes between School House Park and Clyo Road with the exception of a small section near 2021 Nutt Rd., where a 24-inch gas pipeline crosses.

According to township officials, changes along the one-mile section include curb and gutter, plus a sidewalk along the south side of the road.

The project is funded by Washington Twp.

Terry Baltes, who lives at 2021 Nutt Rd., said he is unhappy with the final phase of the project.

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“Washington Twp. is doing some road construction here and they have decided to lower the road by over five feet, which is taking out several of our 100-year-old trees. It is an absolute devastation,” Baltes said.

Township Administrator Jesse Lightle said the project is improving safety and that the township is also mindful of trying to save as many trees as possible during the construction work.

“When the Nutt Road project is complete, it will improve driver and pedestrian safety with wider lanes and the addition of turn lanes and sidewalks,” she said. “In order to improve safety, the road profile was lowered by about five feet in a small section of Nutt Road west of Beaufort Run. This adjustment improved drivability and sight distance.”

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Lightle said that Washington Twp. has saved trees and screening where possible on Nutt Road to minimize the impact to neighboring residents.

“We thank all of the residents that travel Nutt Road for their patience throughout the project,” she said.

Work also began last month on the annual Street Improvement Program for Washington Twp. A total of 19 streets are being paved this summer, including 16 neighborhood streets, one collector road, and two commercial streets.

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In total, the program will use an estimated 14,600 tons of asphalt, according to Public Works Director Mike Wanamaker. About 7,500 feet of curb also will be repaired.

Commercial streets include sections of Paragon Road and Lyons Road. Paragon is being resurfaced from State Route 725 to Congress Park Drive, and Lyons is receiving a coat of asphalt from State Route 725 to immediately east of Yankee Street.

The collector street, Spring Valley Pike, is being resurfaced from Washington Church Road east to the City of Centerville corporation line.

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The township also is paving nearby Old Spring Valley Court, a neighborhood street east of the intersection of Spring Valley and Yankee Street.

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