LIC SR 37/661 16.59/0.00 (PID 92411) – SR 16/SR 37/SR 661 Interchange Project

The Ohio Department of Transportation – District 5 is currently in the design phase of reconstructing the State Route (SR)

37/SR 661 bridge over SR 16 and reconfiguring the four ramps that carry traffic to and from SR 16. Also proposed is the

closing of River Road on the north side of SR 16.

The bridge is currently scheduled to be under construction by Spring 2020.

The State Route (SR) 16/37/661 interchange is located at the southern boundary of the village of Granville. The interchange

provides access to SR 37 and SR 661, which are important collectors due to development in the area and access to and from

Interstate 70 in the southern part of Licking County. The traffic volume on SR 16/37/661 consists of local, commuter, and

commercial traffic traveling to and from SR 161, Denison University, the village of Granville, the city of Newark, and the SR

161/37/16 corridor. The existing diamond interchange consists of one shared lane on all intersection approaches. The ramp

intersections are signalized and operate from one signal controller located at the westbound ramp.

Proposed Improvements Summary:

• Widen SR 661 from 2 to 4 lanes.

• Add left turn lanes to the eastbound & westbound off ramps.

• Add left turn lanes to the northbound, southbound and westbound approaches at the SR 661 and Weaver Drive

intersection.

• Close River Road, east of the project area, on the north side of State Route 16.

The proposed project schedule is the following:

• Fall 2018: Start of Right-of-Way Acquisition Process

• Fall 2019: Design Plans/Right-of-Way Process Complete

• Winter 2020: Project Sale

• Spring 2020: Construction Start

• Fall 2021: Construction Complete

The current estimated cost of the project is $100,000 for the right-of-way acquisition and $8,500,000 for the construction.

The project is funded by the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Licking County Area Transportation Study (LCATS).

1. What changes will be made to the intersection of State Route 16 and River Road?

The proposed changes will be to close the access on the northern leg of the intersection and build a cul-de-sac. The change will

result in travelers using the SR 16/661 interchange to access the section of River Road north of SR 16. In the past seven years

(2011 – 2017), there have been nine crashes at this intersection involving vehicles slowing down on SR 16 westbound to turn right

onto River Road. The proximity of the State Route 16/State Route 661 interchange will allow drivers to access the section of River

Road north of State Route 16. Improvements are being made to the State Route 661 and River Road intersection to allow for

easier traffic movements. There are no changes proposed to the southern leg of the intersection and that portion of the

intersection will remain in the existing condition.

2. What aesthetic treatments will be made as part of the project?

The details are being finalized in conjunction with the Village of Granville and Granville Township. A stacked stone liner is

proposed on the upper section of the bridge and a laid block liner for the lower section of the bridge similar to the concrete

aesthetics used at State Route 16 and Thornwood Crossing. In addition, decorative street signs will be erected. Details regarding

fence type still need to be finalized.

3. What pedestrian and/or bicycle accommodations are being proposed as part of the project?

For the limits of the project, the shoulders are being widened from the existing 2-foot or 3-foot width to a 4-foot width. On the

bridge carrying State Route 661 over State Route 16, the shoulder will widen to 8-feet in width on the east side and a crosswalk

will be installed across River Road at State Route 661. The Village of Granville is planning a sidewalk project along Weaver Drive

that will terminate near the intersection of State Route 661/Weaver Drive; a connection from the planned sidewalk to the existing

multi-use path is planned. For the signal locations at State Route 16 Westbound Ramps/State Route 661 and at State Route

661/Weaver Drive, pedestrian push buttons and signal heads will be included with the traffic signals to provide for safer conditions

for non-motorized traffic to cross the intersections.

4. Were roundabouts considered at the ramp intersections of the interchange?

Roundabouts were evaluated in the planning phase of the project. The roundabouts were removed from further evaluation due

to the higher potential for right-of-way impacts. Also, roundabouts require a relatively flatter grade and are not recommended

where the grade of the roadway is 4 percent of greater. The grade of State Route 37 and 661 through the interchange area is 5.5

percent.

5. What if my property is impacted by the project?

Tonight’s meeting is to gain feedback on the project and use that feedback in considering any changes for the project. Once the

preliminary design work has been completed, ODOT will contact impacted property owners by mail and/or telephone to review

the property impacts. Impacted property owners can expect to be contacted at some point between October 15th and November

15th of this year.

6. What is the expected timeframe for the construction phase and how will traffic be maintained?

The project is expected to start in the Spring of 2020 and end in the Fall of 2021. The project is expected to last for two

construction seasons. During the first season of construction, the southbound direction of State Route 661 will be closed at the

State Route 16/State Route 661 bridge. Travelers wanting to go south on State Route 37 will be detoured to an adjacent

interchange. There will be intermittent ramp closures that will last for 14-21 days as the pavement is rebuilt on the ramps. Only

one ramp will be closed at a time. For the second construction season, both northbound and southbound traffic will be

accommodated. The only detours will be related to any ramp closures that occur.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

PROJECT SCHEDULE

PROJECT FUNDING

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUIESTIONS

WE

AV

ER

DR

RIV

ER

RD

RA

MP F

RA

MP

E

RA

MP

G

RA

MP

H

MULTI-USE PATH

N

SCALE IN FEET

0

37

16

16

661

100

50 200

45

SPEE

DLIMIT

45

SPEE

DLIMIT

35

SPEE

DLIMIT

35

SPEE

DLIMIT

8'4' 12' LANE 12' LANE 12' LANE 12' LANE

| OF SR 661

LIC S.R. 37/661/16 INTERCHANGE

4-LANE BRIDGE OPTION (ODOT PREFERRED)

BRIDGE TYPICAL SECTION - LOOKING NORTHBOUND

LEGEND

EXISTING R/W

EXISTING L/A R/W

FOR CONSTRUCTION

AREA LIMITS