We, the residents of Worthington, Powell, and Delaware, are calling for the rerouting of through semi-trucks off of Olentangy Heritage Corridor Byway. We have witnessed firsthand the danger that semi-trucks pose in this section of SR-315 for all of us, but especially for children. The Olentangy Heritage Corridor Byway is a designated historical scenic route and residential area best suited for local traffic, not designed to accommodate large multi-axle vehicles like semi-trucks.

The Olentangy Heritage Corridor Byway spans 10.5 miles on SR-315, beginning in Worthington north of I-270, with a lane reduction from a four-lane highway into a two-lane residential road which continues through Powell and ends at RT 23 in Delaware. Acknowledged as one of the most beautiful and historically-significant passages in Ohio, the Olentangy Heritage Corridor Byway offers views of many historic and picturesque sites including the Olentangy Scenic River itself, the centerpiece of the corridor (which runs parallel and east of the road along the entire length of the byway), Highbanks Metro Park, Liberty Church and Cemetery, Orange Road Through-Truss Bridge, Liberty Woolen Mill, Stratford M.E. Church, Seymour Woods State Nature Preserve, Bieber Mill, Crist Tavern Annex, and many historic homes including what is believed to be the oldest structure in Delaware county, the Cellar Cabin.

Today, this historic byway is also lined with single family homes and neighborhoods nestled in the surrounding woods and along the river. It was not constructed for heavy traffic or semi-trucks, on the contrast, the wooded, narrow road follows the ancient Native American trails of the Olentangy Scenic River, including curved sections with limited to no visibility ahead, along with frequent stops or necessary speed reductions for traffic, traffic lights, a 4-way stop, and the Orange Road traffic circle.

The Worthington and Olentangy school systems have a combined 52 bus stops throughout its duration where children daily await their transport standing next to the road. Allowing through semi-trucks on a road where over a hundred children catch the bus daily poses a significant safety risk. Their large size, limited maneuverability, potential for reduced visibility, and prolonged stopping distance make this road unsuitable for through semi-truck traffic and can increase the likelihood of an accident, especially in areas where children are gathered. These combined factors create a hazard for vehicles like semi-trucks which are best suited to roadways with increased visibility, better sight lines to anticipate obstacles, and reduced maneuvering challenges.

The presence of through semi-trucks on the Olentangy Heritage Corridor Byway not only disrupts our peaceful community with noise, detracts from the enjoyment and importance of historical places, and contributes to road deterioration but semi-trucks also pose significant safety risks for children. As a community, we have a moral obligation to protect our children and ensure their safety - especially when they are traveling to and from school. We are tired of seeing semi accidents occurring a stone's throw away from children’s bus stops. The combination of these large vehicles and vulnerable children has created an alarming situation that needs immediate attention.

We propose rerouting through semi-trucks from SR-315 to roads that are better equipped to handle such heavy-duty vehicles safely. This change will greatly reduce the risk posed by these large vehicles in our residential area while still allowing them access to necessary routes. This petition does not apply to trucks delivering local goods and services to our community, but for through semi-truck traffic. 

By signing this petition, you're advocating for the safety of our children and neighbors and preserving the tranquility of our neighborhood. Let’s come together and make our voices heard to create a better environment for our community. Please join us in making this important change happen.