Coonpath Road & Election House Road Intersection Improvement

During the 5-year period of 2018–2022, there were 23 observed crashes at the intersection, with 30% resulting in injury. No fatalities or serious injury crashes were reported during this period. Additionally, the intersection is predicted to operate at a Level of Service of F in the future study year of 2048, with backups exceeding 1,000 feet.

The volume of traffic using the Coonpath Road (CR 31) and Election House Road (CR 40) intersection in Fairfield County has steadily increased in recent years. This traffic growth is projected to continue for the foreseeable future due to the population growth in the county and the intersection's proximity to the US 33 & Coonpath Road interchange and the nearby US 33 & Columbus-Lancaster Road interchange.

Coonpath Road is an east-west minor arterial crossing most of Fairfield County, and Election House Road is a north-south minor collector that provides access for northern Fairfield County to the primary commercial corridor in the City of Lancaster located 2 miles to the south. This intersection connects residential areas located east, west, and north of the intersection to the destinations south along Election House Road and Columbus-Lancaster Road. The current intersection is all-way stop-controlled, with each approach composed of one lane entering and one lane leaving the intersection.

The purpose of this project is to provide a safer traveling environment by reducing the number of conflict points at the intersection and reducing congestion. Roundabouts are a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Proven Safety Countermeasure due to the fact they reduce overall crashes and significantly reduce the severity of any crashes that occur due to lower vehicle speeds.

In 2024, because of concerns with the safety of the intersection, the County initiated a feasibility study to look at several options to improve the intersection, which included continuing to leave this as a 4-way stop, installing a traffic signal, and installing a roundabout. With the conclusion of the study and after consideration of many factors, it was determined the best alternative to improve the safety of the intersection and reduce congestion is a roundabout.

This project is being completed with the assistance and oversight of the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). The current schedule is to complete the design and plans in 2027 with construction scheduled for the summer of 2028. Right-of-way for additional land needed to construct the project will begin as early as the fall of 2026.

Fairfield County works to minimize delays and impacts to the surrounding communities, businesses and residents as much as possible. However, in order to minimize the impacts to the schools, the intersection is scheduled for a 60-day closure during the school's summer break. Additionally, coordination with the Greenfield Township Fire Department during the closure will allow them to pass through the closure via a temporary road in an attempt to minimize their delay in emergency response.

This project is currently expected to cost $4.6 million, including design, right-of-way acquisition, and construction costs. Funding assistance is being provided through grants from the County Engineer Association Highway Safety Improvement Program ($1.9 million) and ODOT's Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program ($1.8 million). County Motor Vehicle Levy money will fund the remainder.

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 12/14/2020, and executed by FHWA and ODOT.