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The Wilmington bypass project, as proposed today
(ODOT CLI_SR 73-6.20) is in a 'full-steam-ahead' mode. ODOT is
NOT SERIOUSLY
considering ANY
OTHER route OPTIONS
for the bypass.
The CCCRD OPINION on the bypass
project :
- Any viable option must address and
satisfy a current and accurate description of the problem (or
'Purpose and Need' statement).
- The scope of the 'Purpose and Need' applies
to ALL of northern Clinton County -- being
the townships of Chester, Liberty, Union, Wilson,
and Richland (inclusive of SR 73, US 68, & US 22 / SR
3). When applying federal and state
funding to the project cost, the focus on safety and traffic
congestion must go beyond Wilmington city limits.
- All viable
options must be based on current and accurate traffic counts,
environmental studies, residential growth patterns, and other
pertinent data and studies.
- All viable
options must be evaluated for effectiveness, safety, cost,
and rational ('does it make sense?').
- All viable options are then either
'APPROVED' (approval includes 'reasons why
for') or 'DISSAPROVED' (disapproval includes
'reasons why not').
CCCRD challenges Clinton
County Commissioners, Wilmington City Mayor and ODOT, District
8 to prove the current bypass proposal against the above
CCCRD opinion (criteria). Also see 'Bypass History'. (click
here)
Clinton County's
Current Traffic Problem Description (Purpose and Need). A
CCCRD evaluation:
Reduce congestion and high concentrations of traffic as well
as optimize the safety and efficiency of traffic flow throughout the city of Wilmington,
Union township, and Clinton County.
Further, detail description:
-
Improve highway and street safety in and
around Wilmington.
-
Reduce traffic, particularly truck
traffic, in and around Wilmington.
-
Enhance multimodal interface of airborne
and interstate highway freight movements to create efficient and
economical access to the industrial and commercial traffic nodes
in the area. This applies to highways between
Wilmington and I-71.
-
Minimize impact on growth and demographic
trends on Wilmington and the surrounding townships of Clinton
County.
-
Preserve
farmland.
-
Maximize safety for ALL Clinton County
traffic.
-
Maintain and improve traffic flow for
business and economy related traffic in and through
Wilmington.
-
Preserve the quality of our community’s
rural life style.
-
Minimize cost
impact.
NOTE: Also see the 'Bypass Comparison' (click
here)
Bypass
Solution? A CCCRD look at a viable
option:
A
short, direct interstate type spur (limited access) from I-71 (near
the existing SR 134 overpass) to the east Wilmington / DHL
area would provide a highly effective, safe, and
environment friendly solution to traffic congestion problems in
downtown Wilmington, the area around Wilmington, Clinton Co., and
further outlying areas.
Positive
impact and effectiveness elements are identified as
follows:
-
Minimizes
impact to existing infrastructure (roads and highways).
Requires construction of an additional I-71 interchange and 5
(five) plus miles of limited-access interstate type
highway.
-
Maximizes
SAFETY !! – less
interaction with local traffic.
-
Minimizes
land acquisition and land cost
impact.
-
Promotes
and enhances current residential development growth
patterns.
-
Minimizes
environmental impact.
-
Diverts
both northbound
and southbound I-71
heavy truck traffic away from SR 73, US 68, SR 72, and US 22 / SR
3. NOTE: This
represents a major
relief for existing highway / local road
infrastructure.
-
Preserves and improves the quality of life in Clinton County !
Current
Bypass Proposal. WHY build this
road ??
The
current bypass proposal (ODOT CLI-SR 73-6.20) is effective in that a
significant amount of heavy truck and commercial traffic is diverted
away from the downtown Wilmington area. However, the proposal
does not adequately provide for
efficient and safe traffic
flow. Actually, the
current problems with traffic flow and safety would not be solved
but rather relocated from
the downtown area outward to the Wilmington outer fringe area. The following are additional
negative impact
issues:
-
In
order to access / use the proposed bypass, heavy trucks would need
to travel over existing St. Rt. 73 (4 miles) and / or US Rt. 68
(3+ miles). The noted highways are currently overloaded with heavy trucks and
dangerous.
-
Bypass
construction requires construction of 5 miles of highway through
prime residential development
areas near Wilmington.
-
Requires
major, high cost land
acquisition.
-
(Also see
"State Route 73 Bypass Proposal --
The Answer???").(click
here)
What is the answer to 'Should we build
the current proposed bypass?' when:
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The concept and layout is NOT based on current Clinton
Co. 'Purpose and Needs' !
-
The proposed bypass raises serious SAFETY questions
!
-
The proposed bypass imposes NEGATIVE impact on
the environment, NEGATIVE impact on Clinton Co. quality
of living, and NEGATIVE impact on existing roads and
highways !
CCCRD would like to hear
your thoughts / opinion.
CCCRD respectfully encourages
your serious consideration of our 'What To Do' suggestions
!! (click here)
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