LCEO receives grants for two new roundabouts
From the top, the intersections of Nebraska Ave and Centennial Road and Richfield Center Road and Sylvania Ave will be converted from stop sign intersections into modern roundabouts.
(LUCAS COUNTY, Ohio) - The Lucas County Engineer’s Office has been awarded a federal grant for construction of two new roundabouts at Nebraska Ave and Centennial Road in Springfield Township, and Sylvania Ave and Richfield Center Road in Richfield Township. These projects, slated for construction in 2030, will involve conversion of the existing stop-controlled intersections into a modern roundabouts, along with updated drainage, sidewalks and street lighting.
“We are pleased to be awarded funds to construct two new roundabout intersections in Richfield and Springfield Townships,” Lucas County Engineer Mike Pniewski said. “As we continue to implement significant safety improvements to our roadways with roundabout intersections, we enhance the quality life for those who use Lucas County highways.”
This award reflects LCEO’s commitment and success in obtaining competitive state and federal grants to fund proven, effective safety projects on county roads. Awarded by the County Engineer’s Association of Ohio (CEAO), the funds come by way of the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), whose goal is to fund projects that significantly reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries on all public roadways. It requires a data-driven, strategic approach to planning safety improvements that correct or improve an identified road, intersection or bridge.
The grant does have a matching requirement with an 80/20 ratio; 80 percent of the total cost comes from federal funds and 20 percent from a local match. Both roundabouts projects are estimated to cost $1,125,500.
“Springfield Township was fortunate to have Lucas County’s first roundabout project in 2009,” Springfield Township Administrator Mike Hampton said. “The intersection of King Rd and Nebraska Ave. had high crash and fatality accidents reports. Currently, data will support that the crash and fatality accidents have decreased immensely.”
With this new roundabout, Springfield Township will add to its already robust number of roundabouts. After this year’s construction season, the township will be home to 13 roundabouts with four more planned, including this newly announced location at Nebraska and Centennial.
“Since 2009, Springfield Township has had over thirteen million dollars invested into construction of roundabouts,” Hampton said. “Moving traffic safely and efficiently are two key components to why Springfield Township supports Lucas County’s efforts to construct roundabouts and we are thankful for the Lucas County Engineer’s continued partnership and commitment to our community.
From 2019 to 2023, Nebraska Ave and Centennial Rd had a 73% injury rate with 11 total crashes, eight of them causing injury, and a 4.46 severity score.
The second location at Richfield Center Road and Sylvania Ave will be Richfield Township’s third roundabout, joining the current ones on Kilburn Road at Brint Rd and Sylvania Ave. From 2019 to 2023, there were seven total crashes, four of which caused injuries, one of them being a serious injury. The intersection had a 57% injury rate and a 5.42 severity score.
Pniewski emphasized his office’s ability to obtain state and federal grants to help fund projects that are having a positive, tangible effect on county roads.
“These funds are awarded on a competitive basis with counties across the state,” Pniewski added, “and we have shown the ability to win these funds and Lucas County has shown the benefits these improvements bring year after year. We look forward to continuing to improve the safety of our highways in the future.”
“We are pleased to be awarded funds to construct two new roundabout intersections in Richfield and Springfield Townships,” Lucas County Engineer Mike Pniewski said. “As we continue to implement significant safety improvements to our roadways with roundabout intersections, we enhance the quality life for those who use Lucas County highways.”
This award reflects LCEO’s commitment and success in obtaining competitive state and federal grants to fund proven, effective safety projects on county roads. Awarded by the County Engineer’s Association of Ohio (CEAO), the funds come by way of the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), whose goal is to fund projects that significantly reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries on all public roadways. It requires a data-driven, strategic approach to planning safety improvements that correct or improve an identified road, intersection or bridge.
The grant does have a matching requirement with an 80/20 ratio; 80 percent of the total cost comes from federal funds and 20 percent from a local match. Both roundabouts projects are estimated to cost $1,125,500.
“Springfield Township was fortunate to have Lucas County’s first roundabout project in 2009,” Springfield Township Administrator Mike Hampton said. “The intersection of King Rd and Nebraska Ave. had high crash and fatality accidents reports. Currently, data will support that the crash and fatality accidents have decreased immensely.”
With this new roundabout, Springfield Township will add to its already robust number of roundabouts. After this year’s construction season, the township will be home to 13 roundabouts with four more planned, including this newly announced location at Nebraska and Centennial.
“Since 2009, Springfield Township has had over thirteen million dollars invested into construction of roundabouts,” Hampton said. “Moving traffic safely and efficiently are two key components to why Springfield Township supports Lucas County’s efforts to construct roundabouts and we are thankful for the Lucas County Engineer’s continued partnership and commitment to our community.
From 2019 to 2023, Nebraska Ave and Centennial Rd had a 73% injury rate with 11 total crashes, eight of them causing injury, and a 4.46 severity score.
The second location at Richfield Center Road and Sylvania Ave will be Richfield Township’s third roundabout, joining the current ones on Kilburn Road at Brint Rd and Sylvania Ave. From 2019 to 2023, there were seven total crashes, four of which caused injuries, one of them being a serious injury. The intersection had a 57% injury rate and a 5.42 severity score.
Pniewski emphasized his office’s ability to obtain state and federal grants to help fund projects that are having a positive, tangible effect on county roads.
“These funds are awarded on a competitive basis with counties across the state,” Pniewski added, “and we have shown the ability to win these funds and Lucas County has shown the benefits these improvements bring year after year. We look forward to continuing to improve the safety of our highways in the future.”
