Worthington City Council is encouraging the public to comment on the Ohio Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) priority list of major construction projects.

Worthington is hoping to speed up the dates of construction of the interchange at Interstate 270, state Route 315 and U.S. Route 23 (High Street).

“We’re going to stir that up because there are a number of businesses in the community and civic leaders that are interested in the project, both locally here in Worthington and regionally because of how important this network of roadway is,” City Manager Matthew Greeson said during council’s Feb. 6 meeting.

In a later email, Greeson said, “The primary issues with the interchange are ones of safety and congestion. Worthington is only one of the public safety agencies that respond to accidents in this area, and our Fire/EMS personnel responded to 215 accidents in 2011.”

According to an ODOT study, it was the fourth most congested/high crash location in Ohio; and was ranked by the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission as one of the top three projects in central Ohio.

Currently, ODOT’s north central outerbelt projects relevant to Worthington are, along with their originally scheduled start dates, followed by the new start date:

• North High Street widening Flint to Lazelle (2014, 2020).

• Upgrade I-270/S.R. 315, U.S. 23 — widening at York Temple (2014, 2028).

• Upgrade I-270/S.R. 315, U.S. 23 — reconfigure 270 eastbound (2015, 2031).

• Upgrade I-270/S.R. 315, U.S. 23 — reconfigure 270 westbound (2016, 2033).

Each of the projects is being pushed back yet another year as a result of an ODOT Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) meeting Jan. 31.

All of the projects are considered Tier 1, the highest priority, but they are being delayed by stagnant funding. ODOT receives its funding from gas tax revenues.

“We’ve got enough people concerned about this,” said Bonnie Michael, president pro-tem. “One of the concerns that I have is in the original plan, our arteries are supposed to be torn up for three years. Under the new plan, it’s six years. Not only do they move it out 14 years, but they’re going to have (U.S.) 23 and 270 torn up for six years.

“I’m looking at safety and economic development and convenience for everybody in the community. Six years is an extremely long period of time,” she said. “Who’s going to want to come to the Shops at Worthington Place if they can’t get there, or anyplace else that’s going to be under construction for six years?”

Greeson said the TRAC construction schedule could change again, due to cost savings from a mild winter, privatization of rest areas, leasing the turnpike, and cost-cutting measures at ODOT.

On Jan. 31, TRAC voted 9-0 to accept the draft list of ODOT’s major new transportation projects throughout the state.

“What we are doing right now is trying to provide communities with a realistic and honest look at the amount of money ODOT anticipates having in future years and balancing that with major new and important transportation construction projects throughout Ohio,” said Jerry Wray, ODOT director and TRAC chairman, in a statement. “The result is that many projects are pushed back years and, in some cases, decades.”

The public is invited to comment via email or mail by March 17, and public hearings are likely in late March or April, Greeson said.

Email trac@dot.state.oh.us or send mail to the Ohio Department of Transportation, C/O Jim Gates, 1980 W. Broad St., Columbus 43223.