Huber Ridge Area

At the last meeting of the Township Trustees a resident voiced concern over the number of cars trying to turn left from westbound SR161 to southbound Strawberry Farms Blvd in violation of the No Left Turn.  I answered that it is a difficult location for our officers to set up stationary enforcement due to safety issues and that moving enforcement of this particular offense is not efficient. The resident asked about the possibility of installing flashing lights on the No Left Turn sign and I said I would check with ODOT.  I did and ODOT wants to hear it from all of you motorists.  One of the metrics used by ODOT to justify the expense of changes like this, is the number of complaints received. Another is the number of crashes - but we sure don't want that to happen. To register a complaint with ODOT you can go to their website at www.dot.state.oh.us  and click on Contacts, then General Email Feedback. If you want to talk to a real human being, one who actually cares about your input, contact the ODOT District 6 Public Information Officer, Nancy Burton at 740.833.8063 or by email at DO6.PIO@dot.state.oh.us. You may remember Nancy from her days at WCMH Channel 4 when she was a local television news reporter. The more people who contact ODOT, the better chance we have of getting the signage improved.

Thank you, Chief Belford, for the contact information.  I plan to voice my concern about this.

I hope that residents will also voice their concern about needing signage at the Dempsey and Westerville Roads intersection.  We know that Westerville Road plans are on ODOT's agenda. While we are waiting for the improvements, (and it could be awhile) having signs on the wires that make it clear for motorists traveling south on Westerville Road that the left lane is a "left only" lane and the right lane is a straight/right lane, would help that intersection.  It is not clear enough as is, and the present road signage is difficult to see.   Having signs on the wires would make it clear.  The solution seems easy and affordable.

Pam Clegg