The City of New Albany is moving forward with plans for a new roundabout at a problematic intersection near where several data centers and warehouses are located.
City staff has been working on plans for a roundabout at the intersection of Morse Road where Beech Road turns into Clark State Road. The intersection is near where many data centers are in operation or under construction, and an Amazon distribution center is located.
Ryan Ohly, New Albany’s public services director, told city council Aug. 4 that the current four-way stop intersection often backs up during peak commuting hours, stop signs often get stolen or run over, and drainage issues abound.
The city is moving through the design phase, which is fully funded this year, and has $7.5
million budgeted for construction next year. However, the city is also seeking state funding for the project, and is expecting to receive up to a $2 million commitment from the neighboring City of Pataskala.
Ohly said that the chances of state funding are high because of the significant regional backing on the project: Pataskala, Jersey Township, the Licking County Engineer and the Licking County Transportation Improvement District all support the roundabout.
New Albany is taking the lead on coordinating the project design, construction, funding and long-term maintenance of the roundabout.
Council unanimously approved resolutions approving applying for state grants and entering into a memorandum of understanding with Pataskala at the Aug. 4 meeting.
Mayor Sloan Spalding thanked city staff for their work on the roundabout so far.
“This has been something that has obviously been in need of improvement for a while. Sometimes it’s challenging when there’s multiple jurisdictions, so thank you for working to get that done,” Spalding said.
The project will also include new sidewalks and/or a leisure trail, widening the roadway and resurfacing the pavement, according to city documents. A rough section of asphalt on Beech Road currently approaches a section of concrete at the Morse Road stop.
Anna Lynn Winfrey covers regional/suburban trending news for The Columbus Dispatch. She can be reached at awinfrey@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: New roundabout in the works near several data centers in New Albany
