HARROD — A safety issue with a busy intersection near Allen East schools could finally be addressed after more than a year of discussion.
The Ohio Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting with district residents at 7 p.m. Jan. 25 at the media center at the school and address safety concerns at the Napoleon Road/state Route 309 intersection. ODOT plans to suggest prohibiting traffic that exits the school from crossing state Route 309 when traveling south and prohibiting left turns for one-hour intervals right before school and immediately following school.
Drivers leaving the school and heading south approach the intersection almost immediately. Though there have been no deaths, there have been several accidents with minor injuries at the intersection. Allen East Superintendent Mel Rentschler got in contact with ODOT after several parents contacted him with concerns about the safety at the intersection. Rentschler said there have been six accidents at the intersection since he has taken the post as superintendent two and a half years ago.
While ODOT has acknowledged the problem, traffic studies at the intersection have shown that a traffic light or other solutions were not practical. School officials have worked with ODOT and the Ohio State Highway Patrol in occasional meetings for the past year, but a pair of accidents that occurred in a two-week period recently brought the issue back to the forefront.
The intersection is angled, making it harder to see cars from both directions. Also, heading west on state Route 309 and heading north on Napoleon Road, the road dips and then rises, making it harder to see as you approach the intersection.
Recently, ODOT installed a flashing sign as drivers approach the intersection when driving west. Also, new striping has been added near the intersection so it can be monitored through air traffic control.
ODOT District 1 Deputy Director Kirk Slusser said drivers wishing to head south will be able to turn right onto state Route 309 and continue heading south on Phillips Road. Drivers wishing to head east will turn out of the school and drive toward Lafayette before heading east.
Rentschler said he was happy to see suggestions finally coming to the forefront.
“The bottom line is that there was not going to be any reduced speed, school zone signs or a traffic light,” Rentschler said. “Our options are limited.”
During the meeting, ODOT will show a history of accidents at the intersection along with a video taken at the intersection over a one-week span this past fall. Community members will be allowed to give input at the meeting.
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