Old Wooster Pike Abandonment
Old Wooster Pike Abandonment
In 1967, the Director of Transportation (ODOT) indicated the intent to abandon a portion of Old Wooster Pike (Old US-50) upon completion of construction of a relocated portion of US 50 within Columbia Township in Director’s Journal Entry Volume 52, Page 125 (February 20, 1967). However, neither the Department of Transportation nor the Hamilton County Engineer’s Office have located records of the final abandonment action as prescribed in Ohio Revised Code Section 5511.01. After ODOT made certain improvements to the section of Old US 50 in 2008, ODOT published a Director’s Journal Entry (Volume 2009, Page 821) to finalize the abandonment, but the Hamilton County Engineer’s office noted that certain steps in the statutory abandonment process had not occurred. Upon further research of ODOT records, ODOT concurs that certain additional action is needed to complete the abandonment in accordance with section 5511.01 of the Ohio Revised Code.
Accordingly, the Ohio Department of Transportation has now formally determined that Old Wooster Pike (a portion of Old United States Route No. 50), also known as Wooster Lane, through Columbia Township, Hamilton County shall be abandoned and revert Columbia Township, Hamilton County, Ohio road system. The Director of Transportation is providing appropriate notice of intent of this final abandonment by providing a public open house and an opportunity for public comment on March 28th, 2023, followed by a 45 day comment period. Please refer to Attachment A for a location map, Attachment B for a draft of the ODOT Director’s Journal Entry, and Attachment C for a description of the right of way. As indicated, in advance of this action, ODOT has completed various improvements including grading and culvert inspections. In addition, ODOT commits to paving the apron for each of the two access points to Wooster Lane from US-50 in the summer of 2023; and by separate document, reserve rights of access to maintain a certain drainage facility near the easterly terminus of the abandoned roadway that is designated on the accompanying map. These activities are in accordance with our discussions over the last several months. Finally, upon Journalization of the final abandonment, ODOT will convey to Columbia Township the described highway easement right of way by Director’s Deed under Revised Code Section 5501.45.
Please see below for information on the in-person and virtual public open houses:
In-Person Public Open House
Tuesday, March 28th, 2023
5:00pm to 7:00pm
Columbia Township Building
5676 Kenwood Rd, Cincinnati 45227
Virtual Public Open House
March 13th, 2023 to May 15th, 2023
Project Information: PublicInput.com/oldwoosterpike
Questions and comments can be submitted at the in-person public open house, on the virtual public open house project website, and by mail, email, or phone. All comments carry equal weight, no matter how they are submitted. Comments received by May 15th, 2023 will be compiled and posted on the website.
Virtual Public Open House
Public involvement is an important part of the development of this project, and input from the community will help guide decision-making. ODOT’s goal for this virtual Public Open House is to share information about the project and gather your feedback.
HOW THIS VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE WORKS
This site is a self-guided tour through a series of tabs that highlight key information about the proposed project. Opportunities are provided on each tab for you to share your thoughts. Your comments will be visible for others in the community to see as well, unless you opt to hide your comments by clicking on the associated toggle. This Virtual Open House will be open for comment 24 hours a day through May 15th, 2023. Visit as often as you'd like, and please share it with your friends and neighbors.
To advance between tabs, click on the green CONTINUE button located at the bottom of each page. You can also move between pages by clicking the tabs located at the top of the discussion section. If you would like to view larger versions of any of the images or charts, simply click on them. Copies of project materials and related documents are posted under the DOCUMENTS section, located on the right-hand side of the screen.
If you need interpretation or translation services or other reasonable accommodations to participate in this Virtual Open House, review materials, or provide comment, please contact Taylor Webster, E.I., Environmental Project Manager, at (513) 933-6597 or Taylor.Webster@dot.ohio.gov.
Internet Access Difficulties
A printout of project documents will be provided to anyone who has issues accessing the virtual public open house. Please send a request to Taylor Webster, E.I. of ODOT for the Old Wooster Pike Abandonment Virtual Public Open House at one of the following contact methods:
Ohio Department of Transportation District 8 Office
Attention: Taylor Webster, E.I., ODOT Environmental Project Manager
505 South State Route 741
Lebanon, OH 45036-9518
Telephone Number: (513) 933-6597
E-mail: Taylor.Webster@dot.ohio.gov
The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried-out by ODOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 14, 2020, and executed by FHWA and ODOT.
For more information, visit ODOTs NEPA Assignment Portal by clicking here.
Documents
Letter Sent to Nearby Residents
Attachment A - Project Location Map
Attachment B - Draft Journal Entry
Attachment C - Wooster Road Right-of-Way Description
Wooster Road Right-of-Wat Plat Sheets
Nearby Resident/Stakeholder Contact List
Letter Sent to Columbia Township
Newspaper Advertisement (Cincinnati Enquirer)
In-Person Public Open House for Old Wooster Pike Abandonment
The Ohio Department of Transportation has determined that Old Wooster Pike (Old United States Route No. 50), also known as Wooster Lane, through Columbia Township, Hamilton County shall be abandoned and revert to the Columbia Township, Hamilton County, Ohio road system. In advance of this action, ODOT has completed various improvements including grading and culvert inspections. In addition, ODOT commits to paving the apron for each of the two access points to Wooster Lane from US-50 in the Summer of 2023. The Director of Transportation is providing appropriate notice of intent of this final abandonment by providing a virtual public open house and opportunity for public comment ending on May 15th 2023. The Director of Transportation is also providing appropriate notice of intent of this final abandonment by providing an in-person public open house and an opportunity for public comment on March 28th, 2023, followed by a 45 day comment period.
The In-Person Public Open House will be held at Columbia Township’s Administration Building (5676 Kenwood Rd, Cincinnati 45227) from 5:00pm to 7:00pm.
Questions and comments can be submitted at the in-person public open house, on the virtual public open house project website, and by mail, email, or phone. All comments carry equal weight, no matter how they are submitted. Comments received by May 15th, 2023 will be compiled and posted on the website.
Individuals who may require interpretation or translation services or a reasonable accommodation to participate in this public open house meeting should contact Taylor Webster, 513-933-6597 or Taylor.Webster@dot.ohio.gov, no later than 7 calendar days prior to the public open house meeting. Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.