Route 23 Connect : Delaware Regional Connection Study (PID 112768)
Route 23 Connect : Delaware Regional Connection Study (PID 112768)
The Ohio Department of Transportation, along with regional partners at the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission and Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments, have kicked-off an initiative to determine the feasibility of a free-flowing connection between the Columbus and Toledo Regions.
An important piece of this initiative is the The Delaware Regional Connection Study, which will evaluate different options for improvements through Delaware County between Waldo in Marion County and I-270 in Franklin County. These options include the evaluation of options to the east or west of Route 23’s current path through the center of Delaware County.
Why is this study needed?
Route 23 already has 30% more traffic than the roadway was designed to accommodate. This has caused increased congestion, unpredictable travel times, bottlenecks, and higher crash rates.
Without major improvements, delays will only grow. A free-flow connection would provide substantial regional mobility benefits. It will also support Columbus as a national logistics hub by strengthening connection and access to northwest Ohio, Michigan, and Canadian markets.
What is the process?
Options, including an upgrade of Route 23, a new connection to U.S. 33 to the west, and a new connection to I-71 to the east will be compared using a variety of metrics to analyze travel time, safety, community context, environmental impacts, and cost.
For information about this project on ODOT's website, please visit: www.transportation.ohio.gov/23connect
Study Area
