Who will pay for roundabout?

Delaware County officials and the Ohio Department of Transportation both acknowledge that a roundabout is necessary to ease traffic on Rt.

[nmetro]

"udi Brozek, Liberty Township resident and member of Friends of the Olentangy River, said she doesn't want the roundabout at all.

She said she opposes the project because she is afraid that the Scenic Olentangy Heritage Corridor -- a 10 1/2 mile stretch of highway --will lose its status as a state scenic byway.

The byway begins at I-270 in Franklin County and follows Rt. 315 to Rt. 23 in Delaware County."

This says it all. How incompetent can developers be? The City of Columbus and Delaware Country created unfettered growth in the area and as a result created traffic issues. They tell people in the area, they are going to rebuild the Orange Road bridge because it's old. Now, they spring a roundabout in the heart of a scenic byway?

When I visit Columbus each fall, I take a trip down the byway. It is one of the best kept secrets in the area. I actually had to show of friend of mine the route last year; he has lived in Columbus for 30 years and never knew the byway existed.

Anyone who travels down Olentengy River Road from US 23 to Worthington will notice how close they are to the river for most of the route. At Orange Road there is very little "wiggle room" to widen the road, let alone putting in a roundabout. Olentengy River Road is not meant to be a commutation route; that is what US 23 is for. Maybe Delaware County officials should consider upgrading US 23 to a limited access highway. Oh, that is right, they built up the road in such a way, that trying to make it a freeway now would be more expensive because they have to acquire right of way.

Anyway, I think the EPA will can the roundabout idea because of the severe impact it would have on the Olentengy River. There is enough fish and wildlife in the area that a major reconstruction at Orange Road would have a great impact. Finally, if people choose to take Olentengy River Road in Delaware County as their preferred cut through to I-270, then they should deal with the consequences. The roads is designated as a scenic byway for a reason and it should remain that way for future Ohioans, and former Ohioans like myself, can enjoy.

[UNION BREAKER]

How about setting up a spot for us to report waste and abuse of city and state tax dollars. The city of Columbus has already wasted tons of cash on beautification projects, and I don't believe we should pay for more. Yesterday I watched as 3 police cruisers and a paddy wagon responded to a non-injury accident {Somebody got sideswiped}. Mayor Coleman threatened to cut police from the budget, and yet it took that many officers to make an accident report? If you ask me, about 3 of those vehicles could have been left parked, and half of those officers could have been layed off. This is waste of city tax money, and it upsets me that they used scare tactics to get the vote they needed to raise taxes. I for one will be moving out of Columbus, just as soon as I can find employment elsewhere...Hopefully out of state, because Strickland is just as bad as Coleman. I took pictues of the police response also...it was rediculus

[Jim Bell]

This is a state Highway. The state of Ohio fund's State roads. The County fund's County roads very simple Iam 81 and it has worked for me this is my route to Orange Rd and north Columbus.

[And]

what about a roundabout going into Delaware from 71 at the 36/37 intersection at the new shopping area? County, city, whoever,

[CLD Worthington]

As anyone who has ever driven in the state of New Jersey can attest...Roundabouts suck!!! Put up 4-way stop signs for crying out loud.

[And]

Again, let's get access off of 71 and the 36/37 area. No roundabout needed.