ODOT seeks public
input on eastern Ohio’s bike route system
New Philadelphia, Ohio (Tuesday, November
24, 2015)
– The
Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) District 11
and the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association (OMEGA) are partnering to
provide area residents an opportunity to help plan new bicycle routes for
District 11’s region which includes: Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana,
Harrison, Holmes, Jefferson and Tuscarawas counties.
The agencies are hosting two
identical public outreach meetings to solicit input and provide information
about the state’s effort to establish a signed, Ohio bicycle network that will
accommodate long distance bicycling. Once complete, Ohio will have over 3,000
miles of state and U.S. designated bicycle routes.
Community representatives and
residents are encouraged to attend one of the public meetings being held
on:
When: Wednesday, December
9, 2015
Where: ODOT District
11 headquarters, 2201
Reiser Ave. SE, New Philadelphia
When: 2 p.m. and
7 p.m. (People may attend either
meeting most convenient to their schedule.)
ODOT has developed draft maps
based on factors like low traffic volumes, wide shoulders, low speed limits,
good pavement, direct links between urbanized areas, local support, and incorporation
of existing bicycle facilities.
ODOT and OMEGA will explain
the process to the local representatives, present the draft bicycle routes, and
ask for input on these proposed routes. ODOT expects to begin working with
affected local jurisdictions in January 2016 and complete the route designation
process in April 2016.
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Ohio’s highways are essential to keeping
and creating new jobs. With a mission to provide easy movement of people
and goods from place to place, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is
responsible for maintaining one of the largest transportation networks in the
nation. Guided by ethical principles and accountability, ODOT works to
improve safety, enhance travel and advance economic development. As a
$2.8 billion enterprise, the department wisely invests in its core services of
snow and ice removal, annual construction program and highway maintenance
operations.
For more information contact:
Becky
Giauque \Jee-awg\, Public Information Officer, at (330) 308-3949
or email Becky.Giauque@dot.ohio.gov
