As part of ODOT’s commitment to communicate and engage the stakeholders and neighborhoods along the I-70/71 corridor, this is the first of several progress reports on the I-70/71 “Columbus Crossroads” project.  

The re-building of I-70/71 will improve safety, connectivity, aesthetics, and multi-modal access, and help create an attractive front door to Columbus for generations to come.  ODOT Director Jolene M. Molitoris has charged all of us on the team to make the I-70/71 project a “first in class” project for Columbus neighborhoods, Ohio and the nation – and we stand ready to meet this challenge.

To that end, we are eager to work with you to ensure the I-70/71 project is also an award-winning “Complete Streets” pilot project, and to ensure that you have multiple opportunities to stay informed and engaged as this effort moves forward.  To quote from the www.completestreets.org website,

“The streets of our cities and towns are an important part of the livability of our
communities.  They ought to be for everyone, whether young or old, motorist or
bicyclist, walker or wheelchair user, bus rider or shopkeeper.  …A complete
streets policy ensures that transportation planners and engineers consistently
design and operate the entire roadway with all users in mind – including bicyclists,
public transportation vehicles and riders, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.”

We look forward to partnering with you and the City of Columbus to realize this vision.

On A Listening Tour

ODOT was listening closely as we convened stakeholders and neighborhood groups at a public meeting last November.  We heard a lot about preferred design enhancements and streetscape concepts for bridges, crossings, neighborhood streets, and the mainline freeway.  Since then, ODOT has met with many individuals and stakeholders to gain a fuller understanding of specific concerns.  Among other things, we have learned how important landscaping — and trees — along city streets are to the community.

ODOT has been meeting with the Federal Highway Administration and the City of Columbus to find ways to meet these community goals while also ensuring safe movement of goods and vehicles.  Much progress is being made, and we will have revised design concepts to share with you at public meetings to be held later this spring.  We will alert you when public meetings are scheduled.

No Stimulus Funding, But Columbus Crossroads Still Moving Ahead

While ODOT did not receive the federal stimulus funds it was seeking for this project, funding is in place to start construction of the I-670/I-71 segment of Columbus Crossroads in 2011 or 2012.  There are many details yet to work out, and ODOT will proactively seek public input on detailed design on this portion of the project, along with the East Interchange and the roadway between I-670/71 and the East Interchange.  Detailed design includes such items as streetscape, bike lanes, sidewalks and bridge crossings.

New Project Team Faces

A few changes but the familiar faces – ODOT’s Ferzan Ahmed and Thom Slack — are still very involved.  Two new members of the ODOT project team are Leslie Montgomery and Brad Jones.  Leslie, with ODOT more than 20 years, is the project manager for the East Interchange project and roadway in between that interchange and 670.  Brad, who has led the District 6 Construction Department for more than eight years, will oversee the 1-670/71 portion of the project.  Kelly Angel in our planning office will also oversee the contracts and work of the consultants and contractors.  Nancy Burton is our Public Information Officer at District 6.  She will continue to work with the team on outreach efforts.

What’s Next

We will alert you and the public when public meetings are scheduled.  In the meantime, if your organization would like to schedule a meeting with the Project Team, please contact Nancy
at Nancy.Burton@dot.state.oh.us or 740-833-8063.

ThankYou,

Ferzan M. Ahmed, P.E.
Acting Administrator
Office of Production
ODOT  District 6
400  East  William St.
Delaware, OH 43015
PHONE/FAX NUMBERS:
(740) 815-6025 (cell)
(740) 833-8367 (office)
(614) 887-4605 (Fax)

It has been a few weeks since we communicated with you as we continue to plan and work with ODOT regarding the I-70/71 Project, so I would like to provide an update.
 
The City forwarded your letter to ODOT to add to the public comment on this project.  We also formally responded to the ODOT plan presented at the public meeting on November 9, 2009. I have attached a scan of the City’s letter for your reference. It clearly outlines our concerns and ideas for a better project.
 
The City has since had several meetings with ODOT to discuss our concerns and these discussions have been very successful. The Mayor personally made it very clear that ODOT should be working in partnership with the City to create a project that:
 
·         Has design elements that benefit economic and neighborhood development in Columbus
·         Reconnects neighborhoods to downtown
·         Offers more Complete Streets that better serve pedestrians and bikes, as well as cars
·         Heals the divide created so many years ago along the freeway trench, including better bridges and freeway caps at some locations
 
ODOT’s Director Jolene Molitoris and her team have communicated to us that the State wants the I-70/71 project to be something that we can all be proud of and is a model for the nation.
 
ODOT has taken note of our concerns and has started working toward a proposal that will address our Complete Streets concept. They will be sharing that information with us very soon. We expect ODOT will have an updated exhibit to present to the public in the coming months. Until then, please know that we will be working with them to help address the needs of our communities surrounding this very important project.
 
Sincerely,
Bud Braughton, P.E.
Division of Design and Construction
Department of Public Service
109 N. Front Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Work: (614) 645-8241
Fax: (614) 645-6938

Due to inclement weather, the OTENA general membership meeting for this evening, February 10, 2010 with ODOT has been cancelled. The next general membership meeting will be March 10, 2010 with ODOT. Questions or concerns email president@oldetowneeast.org Thank you

 The Ohio/Parsons Block watch meeting for this evening Tuesday, February 09, 2010 is cancelled due to the weather. Any questions or concerns email katwebb222@yahoo. com