State Lays Out Vision for U.S. 23 Corridor Through Central Ohio

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ODOT and the Ohio Turnpike Commission (OTIC) released the results of the planning study for the I-71/US 23 connector. The two agencies will now take the next year to develop and finalize the feasibility study for a preferred alternative, which is due on October 1, 2026, by statute. Here are the links.

News Article: Toledo TV station release, Columbus TV news perspective

Study Page on Public Input: https://publicinput.com/23-71study

Published Study: https://publicinput.com/Customer/File/Full/9662e432-16f6-481d-8e11-45a3cffcb88d

Some general highlights:
The corridor being advanced runs from just north of Waldo, around either side of Ashley, to north of Sunbury near where SR 521 crosses I-71. It is a combination of 3 of the corridors studied.
The median cost, including upgrades to I-71 between the connector and I-270 near Polaris, is between $1-1.25 billion.
The corridors that included upgrading existing roads (US 36, SR 95, SR 229) were all much more expensive to construct and are not being brought forward.
The agencies concluded that the Turnpike Commission already has the statutory authority to implement tolls if desired; however, if tolls are used, then ODOT cannot use the "quick take" process of purchasing the needed right of way to construct the project.