Improve safety at dangerous Ohio intersection

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The Issue

The intersection of State Route 226, Holmes County Road 51, and Wayne County Road 149 is a notorious spot for accidents and near-misses, causing immense concern among the community members in Holmes County and Wayne County, Ohio. Urgent action is needed to address these safety issues and prevent further incidents that could lead to serious injuries or fatalities.

This crucial intersection serves as a vital artery for residents, motorists, business owners, emergency responders, and farmers. The heavy traffic flow coupled with unclear signage and poor visibility makes this location inherently dangerous, putting everyone who travels through it at risk. In recent years, there have been multiple reports of accidents, some of which have tragically been fatal.

The problem is further compounded by the lack of adequate street lighting, insufficient road markings, and the absence of traffic calming measures. These factors contribute to the confusion and high-speed traffic that are common at this intersection, increasing the likelihood of further collisions and endangering lives.

We are calling on the Ohio Department of Transportation and relevant county officials to prioritize the safety of our community by conducting a comprehensive safety assessment of this intersection, followed by immediate action. Proposed measures include the installation of traffic lights or signals, enhanced signage, improved road marking and shaving off a hill that you cannot see over in order to pull out from the stop sign onto the road, to control and manage the traffic flow more effectively.

By signing this petition, you are standing with us in urging local and state officials to take decisive and immediate steps to make the intersection of State Route 226, Holmes County Road 51, and Wayne County Road 149 safer for everyone. Your signature can help save lives and foster a safer community for all. Please sign this petition to demand action and protect our community.

The Decision Makers

ODOT District 11
Responded
“Thank you for sharing your safety concerns regarding the SR 226 and CR 51 intersection. We appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback and your specific observations regarding the geometry and layout of this area. Whenever a fatal crash occurs on a state route, ODOT initiates a formal fatal crash review. This is our internal process where our traffic engineers and safety specialists analyze the law enforcement crash report, evaluate the specific roadway geometry, including the alignment, sight distances, and intersection configuration, and review additional crash data to determine if engineering or operational adjustments are warranted. Because these reviews depend on finalized law enforcement data, a field visit, and thorough engineering analysis, they do take time to complete. In the meantime, we want to ensure visibility remains as clear as possible. Our county maintenance forces will monitor the roadside vegetation at this location and perform any necessary cutting to ensure that sight lines are not obstructed for motorists. Once the review is finalized, we will follow up with you directly to share our findings and outline any safety upgrades that are warranted based on the evaluation. Thank you again for reaching out and for your shared commitment to keeping our roadways safe. Respectfully, Lauren Borell Public Information Officer ODOT District 11”
Wayne County Engineer
Ohio House of Representatives - District 1

Supporter Voices

Petition Updates