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Fact Sheet Ohio River Bridge Crossing Feasibility Study STUDY DESCRIPTION The KYOVA Interstate Planning Commission (KYOVA) is conducting the Ohio River Bridge Feasibility Study to evaluate the need for a new crossing over the Ohio River between West Virginia and Ohio. STUDY SPONSORS KYOVA, Lawrence County, OH, the Huntington Area Development Council,, and Village of Barboursville, WV are the Study Sponsors. STUDY PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to evaluate the need and location for a crossing between Ohio SR 7 and WV SR 193 northeast of the Huntington metropolitan area. It is anticipated that a new crossing would serve as a vital component to enhancing local and regional mobility in the Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky Tri-stateregion. A new Ohio River Crossing, combined with completion of the relocated SR-7 (Phase-II) by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), would: Improve cross-river mobility in the Huntington metropolitan area Strengthen the transportation network in the Tri- state region Support the completion of the Huntington Outer belt linking Ohio, West Virginia, and key segments of Interstate 64 (I-64). STUDY GOALS Assess existing and future traffic safety and operations Identify opportunities to develop safe and efficient multi-modal transportation options, including bicycle and pedestrian Review existing and proposed future land uses Assess traffic circulation and barriers to mobility within the study area Assess regional economic impacts STUDY ACTIVITY STATUS The study team has collected engineering, traffic and environmental data and conducted preliminary corridor analysis to determine the purpose and need of the project. The team has also formed a Stakeholder Committee comprised of regional public officials. www.ohioriverbridgecrossing.com COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Community participation is an important component of this study. The study team encourages input from the public on: Study goals and objectives Needs within the study area relating to traffic operations, alternative travel modes, safety, and economic development Two public meetings are scheduled for the Study: Informational Public Meeting on 11/ 20/ 2019 Corridor Public Meeting in Spring of 2020. CURRENT FINDINGS The study team has identified three (3) potential corridors and conducted preliminary evaluations in terms of their ability to meet future traffic needs, enhance regional connectivity, support future economic development, and create opportunities for pedestrian use while minimizing impacts to the community and environmental resources. PRELIMINARY CORRIDORS Corridor 1: WV 2 (Ohio River Road)/WV 193 (Big Ben Highway) This corridor would provide the most direct connection between WV 193 and Ohio SR-7. The existing WV-2/WV-193 intersection will be upgraded to a diamond interchange with an overpass bridge to accommodate 4 travel lanes. Ohio Route 7 will also be upgraded to 4 lanes. Corridor 2: WV 2 (Ohio River Road)/CR 11 (Big Seven Mile Road) Corridor 2 is located at the WV-2/CR-11 intersection and along Cox Landing Road, extends over the Ohio River, and then intersects with Ohio State Route 7 in Lawrence County, Ohio. The existing WV-2/CR-11 intersection will be upgraded to accommodate four travel lanes. Ohio State Route 7 will also be upgraded to four lanes. Corridor 3: WV 2 (Ohio River Road)/CR 7 (Nine Mile Road) Corridor 3 is located approximately 0.3 miles south of WV CR 7 (Nine Mile Road) along Douthat Lane and extends over the Ohio River, intersecting OH Route 7 near Private Road 1286. This corridor features flyover ramps for northbound traffic on OH Route 7 due to available width restrictions adjacent to the Ohio River. Huntington Metro Outer belt Study Area
