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ODOT program too late for Perry?
By SHANE RIGGS
Independent Staff Writer
An access management program for Lincoln Way may be too little too late in Perry Township, according to one township official.
The program, introduced by the Ohio Department of Transportation earlier this year, addresses the number of entrances and exits from residential and business properties onto main thoroughfares.
“Access management allows you to govern a road,” said Chris Messenger, ODOT permit engineer and one of the presenters during an information program Tuesday night.
“The purpose and reason for access management is to make the road more accessible to business and a lot safer,” Messenger said.
After ODOT’s presentation during a meeting of the Lincoln Way Corridor Association, Perry Township Trustee Craig Chessler said while the program is impressive in principle, he doubts it can succeed in practice.
“This program means ODOT is finally getting on the ball,” Chessler said. “It’s a good idea, but it’s about 20 years too late for this township.”
Chessler said portions of the plan in new developments could be implemented, but too many existing businesses could not comply.
“I don’t think we are anywhere close to it,” he said.
Access management restricts turns and creates guidelines that developers must follow when building along major roadways.
Beth Odell, president of the Lincoln Way Corridor Association, said the state officials were invited to the forum after questions arose about access from the busy highway.
The Lincoln Way Corridor Association was founded in June to improve and revitalize 3.8 miles of Lincoln Way and Tuscarawas Street Northwest located in Perry Township.