BY:  Councilmember McGowan

RESOLUTION NO. 09-39

A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING LICKING COUNTY'S APPLICATION TO THE OHIO STATE TECHNICAL REVIEW ADVISORY (TRAC) COMMITTEE FOR FUNDING TO CONSTRUCT AN INTERCHANGE AT THE INTERSECTION OF CHERRY VALLEY ROAD AND STATE ROUTE 16

WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is funding a project that will convert the westernmost segment of the State Route161/37/16/36 macro-corridor to a limited access highway from New Albany to Granville and is scheduled to be completed in 2009; and 

WHEREAS, the limits of the new highway do not extend to the State Route16/Cherry Valley Road intersection and, therefore, the existing at-grade, signalized intersection will remain; and

WHEREAS, the Cherry Valley intersection/interchange is the connection point between a state macro corridor and the Thornwood Drive Corridor; and

WHEREAS, the State Route 16/Cherry Valley Road intersection currently operates at a Level of Service (LOS) E - near failure - and will operate at a LOS F - failure - in the near future; and 

WHEREAS, given the improvements to the Routes161/37/16 corridor east and west of this intersection, the intersection constricts the flow of traffic and commerce through the center of Licking County; and

WHEREAS, it is alarming that the accident rate for that intersection continues to climb and that 50% of the rear end accidents result in injuries; and

WHEREAS, the Route 16/Cherry Valley Road intersection is among the worst in Licking County and, more importantly, it is the only intersection in the group that does not have a plan to improve it; and

WHEREAS, the Route 16/Cherry Valley Road intersection is one of four target projects identified by the recently-formed Columbus-Pittsburgh Corridor Committee; and

WHEREAS, there is an ODOT-preferred conceptual alternative and a completed Strategic Plan for the State Route 16 and Cherry Valley Road intersection that supports the replacement of the existing intersection with an interchange to the east of the current at-grade intersection; and

WHEREAS, the construction of this new limited access corridor and the construction of the new interchange has a direct effect on the Village of Granville; and,   

WHEREAS, the location of the new interchange will have a direct effect on economic development, land use patterns, quality of life and the transportation network of the Village of Granville;

WHEREAS, for the project to continue, additional funding will be required; and

WHEREAS, Licking County intends to apply to the Ohio State Technical Review Advisory Committee for funding to construct an interchange at the intersection of Cherry Valley Road and State Route 16.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Village of Granville, Ohio that:

Section 1. The Village of Granville hereby declares its support for Licking County's application to the Ohio State Technical Review Advisory Committee for funding to construct an interchange at the intersection of State Route 16 and Cherry Valley Road. 

Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect and be in force from and after the date of its passage. 

Passed this 15th day of July, 2009.