Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) : Improved Interchange at I-71 and US 36/SR 37 and Proposed Sunbury Parkway

Improved Interchange at I-71 and US 36/SR 37
and Proposed Sunbury Parkway

DEL-71-7.91
PID 90200
April 28, 2016
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

ODOT project website:
http://www.dot.state.oh.us/districts/D06/projects/71/Pages/default.aspx
1. What is the purpose of this Public Meeting?

The purpose of this meeting is to provide the public the opportunity to review alternatives to
improve safety and reduce congestion at the I-71/US 36 SR 37 interchange and provide
improved east-west connectivity in the region. In August 2012, ODOT completed a
feasibility study that determined that an interchange to the south of the existing interchange
at I-71/US 36/SR 37 would be the best option to reduce congestion in the area than one to the
north. Further study of possible interchange improvements was completed in December
2014. ODOT determined from the results of this study that an improvement which combined
the existing interchange with additional ramps to the south would be the best option for a
regional solution.
2. Why is this project needed?
Delaware County has been the fastest growing county in Ohio for over a decade, and
according to the US Census Bureau, its population grew another two percent between 2013
and 2014. In addition to its growth in population, Delaware County is also facing an increase
in freight traffic. When combined, this increase in traffic will stress all of the major routes in
Delaware County, but particularly the already congested and regionally important I-71 and
US 36/SR 37 interchange.
3. Why not just improve the existing interchange?
To improve the existing interchange to handle the future expected high traffic volumes would
require a much larger interchange. The interchange would be similar to an I-71 and I-270
type of interchange with flyover ramps and additional lanes on US 36/SR 37. This type of
fix would require substantial amounts of property from the existing businesses along US
36/SR 37. The results of the 2014 feasibility study determined that a combined interchange
would provide improved traffic operations and have less overall impacts than upgrading the
existing interchange location. According to traffic projections, traffic will be diverted by the
proposed project such that the existing interchange and US 36/SR 37 will operate at
acceptable levels of service.
4. Wont the existing businesses along US 36/SR 37 in the vicinity of I-71 be impacted?
The upgrade necessary at the existing interchange to address the projected level of traffic
would eliminate many, if not all, of the surrounding businesses along US 36/SR 37. By
adding new ramps to the south of the existing interchange, businesses along US 36/SR 37 can
continue to operate as they currently do. In the I-71 southbound direction, the exit to US
36/SR 37 will be the only exiting location in this combined interchange layout. There will be
no exiting ramps to the proposed interchange in the southbound direction. I-71 northbound
direction will look similar to Polaris/Gemini with a barrier separated ramps to access both the
proposed location as well as the existing interchange.
5. I keep hearing about $16.5 million dollars for the current interchange. What does this
mean?
The Simon-Tanger traffic study, identified both opening year and future year improvements
that were necessary to accommodate the additional traffic brought to the area due to the
opening of the mall. The opening year improvements have been constructed. The future
year improvements were valued at $16.5M. The need for future improvements are beyond
what is triggered by just the Outlet Mall. ODOT has determined the southern interchange
will not only solve the traffic issues at the current interchange, but address the regional
concerns as well. Pursuant to the feasibility study, ODOT has determined that additional
interchange ramps to the south of the current I-71/US 36/SR 37 coupled with an east-west
roadway will be the best option to improve safety and reduce congestion. The distribution of
traffic with a combined interchange will be about 60/40, meaning only 40% of the traffic
would use the existing interchange and therefore building the design year improvements
would be under-utilized. It is ODOTs intent to apply that $16.5 million dollars to the
construction of the additional southern interchange ramps.
6. We heard that the improvements underway at this time are supposed to make the
existing interchange operate better in future years. Why do we need the additional
ramps to the south if the existing interchange is being improved?
The improvements identified in the Simon-Tanger traffic study do not account for any
additional development beyond the outlet mall, an auto mall and some retail stores and will
not accommodate future area growth and development as per local land use plans. ODOT
would like to point out that the development of this area could not have been possible
without the contribution of private developers in the area. Simon-Tanger is funding current
improvements at the existing I-71/US 36/SR 37 interchange.
7. Is there an option to put interchange ramps north of US 36/SR 37?
A northern interchange was reviewed as part of the August 2012 ODOT Feasibility Study
and was not recommended. The largest problem with a northern interchange was the
insufficient reduction in congestion at the existing interchange and it did not adequately
address the east-west connectivity needs for the region.
8. Could parts of all three alternatives be used to make one proposed roadway?
Yes. Based on comments from the public, there could be adjustments to the alternatives.
9. How many lanes will the proposed Sunbury Parkway have?

The proposed Sunbury Parkway will be six lanes between Africa Road and I-71 and five
lanes from I-71 east to US 36/SR 37 when all phases are complete. There will be additional
turn lanes at intersections.
10. What will be the speed limit on the proposed Sunbury Parkway?
The speed limit on the proposed Sunbury Parkway will be 50 mph per Ohio Revised Code
requirements.
11. Where will traffic signals be located on the proposed Sunbury Parkway?
Future traffic signals are expected at the following intersections with Sunbury Parkway:
Africa Road/US 36/SR 37
Fourwinds Drive and S. 3 Bs & K realignment
I-71 northbound Ramp
Wilson Road
Galena Road
Domigan Road
Sunbury Pkwy and US 36/SR 37 on the far east side of the project
12. What will the proposed Sunbury Parkway look like?
Initially, Sunbury Parkway will be a two lane roadway. Sunbury Parkway will ultimately be
expanded to two lanes in each direction, curb and gutter, with a grass median. The facility
will also include a sidewalk on one side and a shared use path on the other side. A shared use
path is physically separated from the roadway and can accommodate bicyclists and
pedestrians.
13. What will the connector roads from 3Bs & K to Sunbury Parkway look like?
Fourwinds Drive is planned to be built by others as a two lane roadway north of the 3Bs & K
Road realignment and will be widened to provide turn lanes at the proposed Sunbury
Parkway.
14. What will happen to 3Bs and K once the new connector road at Fourwinds Drive is
built? How will residents who live on 3Bs and K south of Sherman get to their homes?
Residents living on South 3Bs and K south of Sherman Road will be able to use either
Africa Road to Sherman Road to access their homes or use the new Fourwinds Drive
connection when built by others from the proposed Sunbury Parkway to South 3Bs and K to
access their homes.
15. What will the connection at Africa Road look like?
Africa Road will be widened from two lanes to four lanes south of the proposed Sunbury
Parkway. There will be additional left and right turn lanes at the intersection.
16. When will the preferred alternative/route be selected? And how will we be informed?
The preferred alternative will be selected after a review of comments received from tonights
meeting and during the comment period. Comments will be taken into consideration in the
selection of the preferred alternative. The preferred alternative for the added southern
interchange and Sunbury Parkway will be chosen after that time. The notification along with
a response to all comments we have received about the project will be posted on the ODOT
website and sent to those who have provided their contact information.
17. When will these proposed improvements be built?
The additional southern interchange ramps and the Sunbury Parkway connection to Wilson
Road will be ready for construction in 2018 pending funding availability. The extension of
Sunbury Parkway west to Africa Road will be phased for later years. To aid their plans for
development in the area, a private development group will begin constructing two lanes of
Sunbury Parkway from Wilson Road east to existing US 36/SR 37 beginning in 2019. Future
phases of the interchange project include a tie-in west to existing US36/SR 37 and the
upgrade of Sunbury Parkway from two lanes to four lanes. These improvements are planned
for future years as traffic and development in the area warrants. Because of the collaboration
between public and private entities, an effective solution can be delivered sooner to the area
than if we tried to do this by ourselves.
18. I have heard that there is other development that will be happening in the region. What
are the plans?
Development is already beginning in the area with the Simon-Tanger Outlet mall opening in
June 2016. Other retail, residential and recreational facilities are planned in the area as
identified on local land use plans.
19. How much do the improvements cost and who will pay for them?
The planning level cost estimate for construction of all the improvements including the
interchange, ramps, connection to the west to Africa Road and the widening of Sunbury
Parkway east of Wilson road is $125 Million. This estimate does not include right of way or
the cost to build the initial two lanes of Sunbury Parkway from Wilson Road east to US
36/SR 37. Funding will likely come from multiple sources including ODOT. Funding,
including those from private sources, must be available in advance of construction per federal
requirements.
20. I heard there is a Big Walnut Interchange project what is it?
The Delaware County Engineers Office is studying the feasibility of a new interchange on I71 at Big Walnut Road, located approximately midway between the US 36/SR 37
interchange and the Polaris/Gemini Parkway interchange. The study of improvements for the
I-71 and US 36/SR 37 interchange considered traffic both with and without the possible I-71
and Big Walnut interchange.
21. What is an AER?

An AER is an Alternative Evaluation Report which documents the process and the decisions
made in the selection of a preferred alternative to solve the purpose and need of a project.
22. What is TRAC?
TRAC is the Transportation Review Advisory Council. Established by Ohio Revised Code in
1997, the nine-member Transportation Review Advisory Council assists in developing a
project selection process for ODOT's largest investments. The TRAC, chaired by ODOT's
Director, also approves Major New projects for funding.
23. What are the next steps for the I-71 and US 36/SR 37 Interchange Improvements?
Public Meeting Comment Period End Date May 13, 2016
Preferred Alternative Determination Summer 2016
Transportation Review and Advisory Council (TRAC) Funding Application 2016
Alternatives Evaluation Report (AER) Complete/Approved Summer 2016
Second Public Meeting Fall 2016
Environmental Document Approved Winter 2016
Interchange Designed December 2016 to early 2018
Begin Property Purchase Summer 2017
Interchange Ready for Construction, Pending Funding Availability 2018

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) : Improved Interchange at I-71 and US 36/SR 37 and Proposed Sunbury Parkway

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) : Improved Interchange at I-71 and US 36/SR 37 and Proposed Sunbury Parkway

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) : Improved Interchange at I-71 and US 36/SR 37 and Proposed Sunbury Parkway

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Improved Interchange at I-71 and US 36/SR 37

and Proposed Sunbury Parkway

April 28, 2016

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the purpose of this Public Meeting?

9. How many lanes will the proposed Sunbury Parkway have?

21. What is an AER?

You might also like

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.