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BREAKING News

11.20.09- Olive/Taywood Connector Public Comments

On March 11, 2009, the City of Trotwood held a public meeting to provide interested parties an opportunity to review the proposed alignment of the Olive Road/Taywood Road Connector.

Approximately 15 citizens were in attendance. Many of these citizens took the time to express their concerns over the project with City, ODOT, and design consultant staff. Seven residents provided written comments. Of the seven individuals providing written comments, five were opposed to the project.

The City has carefully considered the public comments. While the City recognizes that the nearby property owners are generally opposed to the project, the City believes the project is necessary for the community and region. The City intends to proceed with design of the Olive Road/Taywood Road Connector.

The following is a summary of comments received at the meeting and on comment forms:

This project is a waste of taxpayer money. It will not serve residents, only people passing through the community. The City recognizes that some residents are concerned regarding the expense and need of the project. However, the City firmly believes that the project is necessary to improve the ability of local residents and consumers to effectively travel between home, work and commercial destinations. The existing roadway alignment presents geometric and safety impediments to north-south travel.

The project will take half my backyard and harm my property value. As required by the Constitution (both Federal and State), property owners will be compensated for any necessary acquisition from their property and damages to the residue (if any). Additional information regarding the real estate acquisition process is available in the “When ODOT Needs Your Property” booklet, available at the following link:

http://www.dot.state.oh.us/divisions/prodmgt/realestate/documents/manuals/booklets/.

The proposed road alignment should be changed to reduce the amount of land to be taken from private property owners. The proposed design was selected because it required the least right-of-way from private property owners while still providing acceptable roadway geometrics.

Why not just close Salem Bend at Westbrook and route those travelers onto State Route 49, since State Route 49 is designed for heavy traffic? ODOT evaluates intersection operation based on the typical delay experienced by vehicles during peak travel hours. Currently, motorists at the State Route 49/Westbrook Road intersection experience an average delay of 15 seconds during peak travel hours. This meets ODOT’s Design Standard for a rural principal arterial such as State Route 49.

ODOT used industry standard traffic models to determine the amount and effect of traffic that would divert to the State Route 49/Westbrook Road intersection if Salem Bend were closed at Westbrook Road. The traffic model indicates motorists would experience an average delay of 35 seconds, with some turning movements delayed by more than 80 seconds. Under ODOT’s Design Standards, this level of service is unacceptable on a rural principal arterial such as State Route 49 and cannot be permitted on this federal-aid transportation project.

The project will increase noise levels and noise barriers should be installed. ODOT Office of Environmental Services prepared a noise evaluation of the proposed corridor. No properties were identified as having design year (2032) noise levels that exceed the Noise Abatement Criteria of 67 decibels.

At three noise sensitive land uses (residences), noise levels are expected to experience an overall 10-decibel increase by the year 2032. For the property at 5931 Salem Bend Road, a noise wall was determined to not be “cost feasible” – that is, it would cost more than $35,000 per residential unit. The other two sensitive land uses are at the Salem Bend Condominiums. Only two of ten contacted residents expressed a desire for a noise wall; based on the lack of response, a noise wall is not warranted. The City is committed to working with Salem Bend Condominiums to identify possible landscaping or fencing that will provide a visual barrier to the roadway.

I will lose most of my backyard and the setting will be ruined. Property will need to be acquired from some residents; property owners will be compensated for all such acquisitions. As discussed above, the City is committed to working with property owners to identify possible landscaping or fencing that will provide a visual barrier to the roadway.

The proposed cul-de-sac on Salem Bend will be a magnet for loiterers and criminal activity. This area will continue to be policed by the City of Trotwood and loiterers will be dispersed.

There are areas of wet soils along the route. Aren’t those protected wetlands? ODOT Office of Environmental Services inspected the proposed route. No areas meeting the definition of “wetland” were identified. Wetland vegetation was not present and the soils are not hydric.

The project will harm air quality. An evaluation of the project corridor by ODOT determined that the project will reduce the total vehicle miles traveled by 6.5%. Additionally, by reducing delays at intersections, the project will actually reduce vehicle emissions compared with the existing roadway configuration. Overall, the project is expected to have a beneficial effect on local air quality.

For more information please contact Public Works Director Thomas Odenigbo at or odenigbo@trotwood.org.