ODOT sets meeting on US 24 crashes

Ohio Dept. of Transportation information

LIMA — The Ohio Department of Transportation will lead an open discussion next week regarding accidents that have recently occurred along U.S. 24 in Paulding County.

The meeting will be held Thursday, August 7, at 6 p.m., at the Ohio State University Extension Office, 503 Fairground Drive in Paulding.

Kirk Slusher, Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) District 1 deputy director, will lead the discussion with county officials, local law enforcement and the public regarding what the accident data indicates, what has been done to this point in response, and to learn the thoughts of the community on the issue.

“We’re looking internally at what could be done from an engineering perspective, but the perspective of local drivers is an important part of the analysis,” said Slusher.

Last year, officials with ODOT District 1 consulted with federal officials, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and both the Paulding County Commissioners office and the Paulding County Sheriff’s Department in response to the accidents. As a result, pavement markings were added to the intersections with U.S. 24 at County Road 21, Township Road 83, County Road 87, County Road 115, County Road 232, County Road 133 and County Road 143.

It was thought the markings would better define the median areas and provide a visual to motorists of where they could safely wait before crossing or turning into the lanes of travel. The work was completed last fall.

“This was a measure that was viewed positively by the public and we still believe it is a good enhancement to the intersections,” said Slusher. “Unfortunately, additional accidents have occurred since this was done,” he said.

From 2010 to present, 22 accidents have occurred along U.S. 24 in Paulding County. Five of those accidents resulted in five fatalities that occurred at County Road 143, County Road 87 and County Road 115.