Traffic of all types, from car haulers to Amish buggies, flowed through the new single-lane roundabout at state routes 47 and 235 Friday afternoon after the Ohio Department of Transportation announced its official opening Thursday.
Construction on the $2.6 million project began in early May at the intersection, which had long been considered one of the most dangerous in Logan County because of the high number of serious and fatal crashes that have occurred there over the years.
Shortly before work began, Mary Elizabeth Pasquale-Berenies, 54, of Dayton, was killed April 29 at the intersection when a westbound semi on S.R. 47 failed to stop and struck her northbound sport utility vehicle.
Prior to the project, the intersection was a two-way stop on S.R. 47 and continuous flow on S.R. 235. The intersection was previously on Governor Mike DeWine’s Top 150 list for safety improvements.
Research shows that roundabouts reduce the number of severe injury or “T-bone” crashes, ODOT officials noted in a press release.
“The installation of a roundabout at this location will improve safety and reduce the number of dangerous conflict points while maintaining traffic through the intersection.”
The Delaware, Ohio-based Trucco Construction Company was awarded the contract for approximately $2.6 million to construct the roundabout.
Public opinion about the project has remained mixed, with many on social media praising the effort to make the intersection safer, while others have called it “a waste of money.”
The owners and employees of the Saucy Sows Farm Market, located on the northwest corner of the intersection, were experiencing brisk business Friday.
“We’re glad it (the roundabout) is open,” Stealth Sherer, son of owners Scott and Denise Sherer, said with a smile from behind the meat counter.
Stealth said the shop lost a significant amount of business in recent months because of the road closures and construction.