NOTE:  The following “Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)” and the “ODOT Response” were copied from ODOT’s web site: http://www.wilmingtonbypass.com/faqs/.  The “CCCRD Response” for each “FAQ” was added here.

Bypass FAQ's:

How many alternatives have been studied? (click here)

Why hasn't a direct route north to I-71 been studied? (click here)

Does the recommended alternative best serve the major truck users? (click here)

What will be done with existing SR 73 between the bypass and I-71? (click here)

How many alternatives have been studied?

ODOT Response:

As many as 13 alternatives were studied by MVRPC in 1994 and eight were studied in 1998.  Alternatives were eliminated at various levels of detail and for various reasons, as is the commonly accepted process for project development.  Key reasons have included not meeting the Purpose and Need and not being preferred by the public at public meetings at each stage.

CCCRD Rebuttal:

Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC) studies from 1994 and 1998 do not provide accurate comparative analysis for 2005 and beyond infrastructure projects.  Planning for a $108 million highway project in Clinton Co. must include current studies for all viable options.  The planning studies must be accomplished concurrently using an accurate, up to date “Purpose and Need”, today’s highway traffic data, and considering today’s Clinton Co. environment (residential growth patterns, commercial/industrial development, etc.).  Analyzing the ODOT proposed SR 73 bypass with respect to ALL of northern Clinton Co. reveals serious issues relative to safety, traffic flow functionality, air and noise pollution, etc. (How does ODOT’s proposed “Relocated SR 73” meet the (a up to date/accurate) “Purpose and Need” for Clinton Co. in general?). (top of FAQ's)

Why hasn't a direct route north to I-71 been studied?

ODOT Response:

It has been studied in a preliminary fashion to determine if it meets the Purpose and Need, and it does not.  This was done in the 1994 study by Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission, in further traffic modeling in 1999 in response to this question, and again with the updated traffic in the current study.  A direct route serves traffic desiring to go from Wilmington to northbound I-71, but not traffic desiring to go southbound on I-71.  A direct route doesn't meet the Purpose and Need as well, removing 53 percent of traffic from downtown east of US 68, but only 26 percent west of US 68. (This traffic study was actually done with the connection to I-71 at SR 334. In reality, the new interchange would need to be at least a mile farther east to meet interchange spacing requirements.  Moving the connection farther east would mean it would serve even less of the traffic desiring to go southbound on I-71.)  It also doesn't serve Wilmington and Clinton County residents traveling from the west side of Wilmington to the east side, and vice versa.  While it doesn't do as good a job of removing traffic, the length of construction is approximately the same as Alternative five.  Therefore, the construction cost, right-of-way required, relocations of homes required, and farmland required will be approximately the same.  In addition, a new interchange on I-71 would be required, which would negatively impact capacity on I-71, while the interchanges at SR 73 and US 68 would be underutilized.

CCCRD Rebuttal:

ODOT seems to be concerned with an interchange at I-71 / SR 134 being too close to the existing I-71 / US 68 interchange.  The distance between the I-71 / US 68 interchange and the existing I-71 overpass at SR 134 is 1.9 miles.  Analyzing spacing between numerous existing interstate highway interchanges indicates that 1.9-mile interchange spacing would not be unusual or uncommon.  For example:

1)      North of Dayton, I-75 between interchanges at I-70 and US 40, 1.8 mi.

2)      North of Dayton, I-75 between interchanges at US 40 and Northwoods Blvd., .66 mi.

3)      US 35 Xenia bypass between interchanges at US 68 and SR 42, 1.9 mi.

4)      US 35 Washington C. H. bypass between interchanges at US 22 and SR 41, 1.4 mi.

5)      US 35 Washington C. H. bypass between interchanges at SR 41 and SR 753, 1.9 mi.

Fact: I-71 from Columbus to Cincinnati is directionally on the compass bearing of 239 deg., which is basically EAST / WEST (90/270 deg.) – not NORTH / SOUTH (0/180 deg.).  Generally, ALL I-71 traffic (heavy trucks and cars) both WEST bound and EAST bound would certainly use an I-71 / SR 134 to east Wilmington direct route ‘superhighway’.  Comparing that type of route to today’s existing routes (from I-71 / SR 73; US 68; SR 72 interchanges to SR 73 / Airborne Rd.):

            Today’s existing – average distance = 11.1 mi.;       average travel time = 17.8 min.

            I-71/ SR 134 direct route – average distance = 12.3 mi.;       average travel time = 13.5 min.

            ODOT proposed route – average dist. = 11.9 mi.;            average travel time = 14.1 min.

Comparatively, from SR 73 / Airborne Rd. traveling to Columbus or Cincinnati via I-71, the I-71 direct route would be 4.3 minutes faster than today’s existing routes; ODOT’s proposed bypass would be 3.7 minutes faster than today’s existing routes.  The time study used 55 MPH speed limit.  Using 65 MPH speed limit would show even greater I-71 direct route timesavings.  For every vehicle (semi-trucks, cars, light trucks) using an I-71 direct route there would be one (1) less of those vehicles traveling the existing highways between I-71 and Wilmington.  The I-71 direct route would reduce heavy truck traffic on Clinton Co.’s existing highways by about 4000 trucks per day as well as reducing downtown Wilmington truck traffic by about 3600+ trucks per day.  ODOT’s proposed bypass has NO WAY of reducing any traffic, especially semi-truck traffic, on Clinton Co.’s existing highways (esp. SR 73 and US 68).  An I-71 direct route to SR 73 / Airborne Rd. definitely does meet the “Purpose and Need” more effectively than the ODOT proposed “Relocated SR 73”.

The cost of an I-71 direct route type highway is estimated to be a MINIMUM of 11% less than the ODOT proposed bypass since an I-71 direct route would be more remotely located relative to the city of Wilmington.  Land cost between Wilmington and I-71 is considerably less than land closer to and along the edge of Wilmington.  Conceivably, the  existing SR 134 right of way (over 2 miles near I-71) could be used (upgraded/improved) for considerable savings in farmland lost and dollars spent.  Houses are more sparsely populated moving away from Wilmington, causing destruction of fewer houses and fewer properties degraded in value. (top of FAQ's)

Does the recommended alternative best serve the major truck users?

ODOT Response:

The recommended Relocated SR 73 best serves all traffic traveling from east of Wilmington to go either north or south on I-71, as shown by the traffic model.  This includes the percentage of traffic represented by the truck traffic.  None of the major truck users have opposed the current alternative.

CCCRD Rebuttal:

Referring to the CCCRD Rebuttal to the last question, apparently ODOT is not aware of the basically EAST / WEST direction of I-71.  The ODOT proposed “Relocated SR 73” has no direct connection to I-71.  In order for ODOT’s “Relocated SR 73” traffic to go either EAST or WEST on I-71 the traffic will have to travel either four (4) miles on the most dangerous two-lane highway (SR 73) in northern Clinton Co. or four (4) miles on congested / dangerous two-lane US 68.

Understandably, major truck users would not oppose the ODOT proposed bypass since that is the ONLY option for highway improvement offered. (top of FAQ's)

What will be done with existing SR 73 between the bypass and I-71?

ODOT Response:

That section of roadway is included in a current safety program being undertaken by ODOT statewide.  The intent of that program is to eliminate safety problems on the sections being studied.  That section of existing road has some sections not meeting desired safety criteria, and ODOT would like to correct those problems as funding is available, whether or not Relocated SR 73 is constructed.

CCCRD Rebuttal:

Fact: SR 73, between Wilmington and I-71, is the most dangerous highway in northern Clinton County.  According to data from the Ohio Department of Public Safety “Traffic Crash Records” for the last five (5) years (2000 – 2004 inclusive) traffic fatalities in northern Clinton Co. were as follows: Wilmington (city streets 35 MPH or less) – one (1) fatality; SR 73 – five (5) fatalities; SR 72 – two (2) fatalities; US 22/SR 3 – two (2) fatalities; and US 68 – one (1) fatality.  By far, highways between Wilmington and I-71 are more dangerous and have more serious traffic safety and traffic congestion issues than downtown Wilmington.  ODOT’s “Relocated SR 73” does nothing to improve traffic safety and traffic congestion outside Wilmington’s city limits.

Technically and logically the correct way to solve traffic problems in northern Clinton Co. is to build a four-lane highway directly connected to I-71.  A highway built for safe, fast, and easy interstate truck and light vehicle travel from I-71 to SR 73 / Airborne Rd. would provide major relief for ALL existing I-71 to Wilmington highways as well as downtown Wilmington.  The traffic safety and congestion issues on both SR 73 AND US 68 between Wilmington and I-71 would be greatly reduced.  Investing $108 million (latest ODOT estimate) in Federal, State, and local tax funding must provide a safe and efficient highway system for ALL of northern Clinton Co., not just the city of Wilmington. (top of FAQ's)