NEWS

Will Cherry Valley interchange finally get funding?

Kent Mallett
Reporter
  • The Transportation Review Advisory Council votes Dec. 18 on its draft list of construction projects.
  • The proposed Ohio 16 interchange at Cherry Valley Road received preliminary design funds in 2005.

NEWARK – Local officials remain cautiously optimistic the long-awaited Cherry Valley Road interchange project may finally receive construction funding.

The state's Transportation Review Advisory Council votes Dec. 18 on its draft list of major new construction projects approved for funding. The annual draft list advances to final approval the following spring.

The proposed Ohio 16 interchange at Cherry Valley Road, discussed more than 20 years ago and the recipient of preliminary design funds in 2005, could move to Tier I status, designating construction funds for the project.

Jerry Newton, the Licking County Planning Director, said Tuesday he has heard many positive comments since the county's recent presentation to the advisory council, giving him confidence the $32 million project may be approved.

"I feel really good about the possibility of that being moved to Tier 1, which means it will occur," Newton said. "We showed them traffic backed up for 2 miles. We have demonstrated the need."

The presentation included a 10-minute video of more than a dozen local leaders supporting the project that eliminates the traffic signal at the Newark-Granville border.

Projects on Tier 1 are slated for construction funds during the next four years.

The video includes Park National Corporation Chairman Dan DeLawder, who said, "I urge, in the strongest possible terms, the completion of the Cherry Valley interchange. It's just an unacceptable risk for vehicular traffic."

U.S Rep. Pat Tiberi, R-Galena, said, "It's a hazard. It's a nightmare for drivers."

Cheri Hottinger, president of the Licking County Chamber of Commerce, said congestion at the intersection has diminished the achievement of the Ohio 161/37 expansion.

"It was wonderful when 161 was widened and everybody was all excited about that project and how it was going to be beneficial to everybody," Hottinger said in the video. "But, that intersection, to me, prohibits that efficiency that we were trying to get."

The video also includes supportive comments from Newark, Heath, Granville and county officials, as well as Rob Montagnese, president/CEO of Licking Memorial Health Systems and Susan Krieger, vice president of operations at State Farm Insurance.

Eastbound traffic on the limited-access highway moves at posted speeds of 65 and 70 mph from Columbus to Granville, then at 55 mph until slowing to a rush-hour stop more than a mile from the traffic signal.

The video includes statistics on 378 crashes, the vast majority of which were rear-end crashes during the work week.

Newton said there are skid marks on the pavement where vehicles come around a curve and discover stopped traffic.

"Everything is in place now to do this project," Newton states in the video. "We need this project now, and we need it to save lives."

State Rep. Jay Hottinger, R-Newark, shared Newton's optimism.

"The issue in the past has always been the funding," Hottinger said. "The need and desire has been known for a number of years.

"At some point stars will align. All I can say is positive things are happening and I'm encouraged," he said.

Hottinger said it doesn't hurt that ODOT Director Jerry Wray is a local resident.

"Jerry Wray lives in Newark and drives that route every day himself, and I've communicated with him, and he knows the great importance of that interchange," Hottinger said.

The interchange, ¼ of a mile east of Cherry Valley Road, would connect with Newark-Granville Road in Granville to the north and Cherry Valley Road in Newark to the south.

The stone arch bridge at Cherry Valley Road near Reddington Road would be replaced and connected to Thornwood Drive into Heath.

kmallett@newarkadvocate.com

740-328-8545

Twitter: @kmallett1958