PRELIMINARY FEASIBILITY STUDY

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
U.S. 23 Corridor Study, PID 112768

Prepared for ODOT District 6

MAY 2022

Prepared by:
PRELIMINARY FEASIBILITY STUDY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY | U.S. 23 CORRIDOR STUDY | PID 112768

SUMMARY MOVING FORWARD

A Preliminary Feasibility Study was conducted to determine
the feasibility of creating a fully free-flowing connection
between the Columbus and Toledo regions. This study
centered around the portion of U.S. 23 between Waldo and
I-270, which is the only portion of the I-75/U.S. 23/SR 15
corridor with traffic volumes exceeding roadway capacity
(see Figure 1). The study area includes nearly 40 traffic
signals, the only signals between I-270 and Toledo.
After comparison of the expected benefits and costs for each
concept (see Figure 7), it has been determined that none of
the concepts as presented can be reasonably implemented in
the immediate future. Therefore, none of the study concepts
will be advanced.
The study clearly indicated that improvements to the existing
U.S. 23 corridor would positively affect tens of thousands of
drivers daily. Public feedback has shown that improvements
to safety and congestion is a top priority for many who live
and travel along the route, Therefore, ODOT plans a forward-
thinking approach to address specific safety and congestion
issues on existing U.S. 23 between Waldo and I-270. This
forward-thinking approach will result in an action plan
that identifies a series of future stand-alone improvement
projects, providing drivers meaningful benefits sooner rather
than later. This plan will leverage much of the data, public
feedback, and findings from the study.
Through this shift in focus, ODOT will prioritize the needs of
the existing U.S. 23 corridor and develop individual projects,
providing drivers with meaningful benefits sooner rather
than later. ODOT will continue to engage the public and
stakeholders to get input and ideas for how to solve some of
the congestion and safety problems on the existing U.S. 23
corridor.
Congested
Approaching Congestion
Not Congested

Study Area
This study concludes
that all of the proposed
concepts for a fully
free-flowing connection
between Waldo and
I-270 would substantially
impact natural and
cultural resources, and
would cost much more
than they provide in
benefit. As a result,
none of the proposed
concepts, as presented,
are feasible to advance
for further study.

Figure 1:  Congestion Between Toledo & Columbus

Data Source: ODOT TIMS
2
 PRELIMINARY FEASIBILITY STUDY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY | U.S. 23 CORRIDOR STUDY | PID 112768

INTRODUCTION
The Ohio Department of Transportation, along with regional Study Area

MORROW
MARION
partners at the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission and MARION
23

the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments, has DELAWARE

conducted a Preliminary Feasibility Study to evaluate the Prospect Waldo

feasibility of an improved transportation connection between
the Columbus and Toledo regions.

Delaware Lake
229

This study focused on the area between the Village of Waldo MORROW

DELAWARE
in Marion County and I-270 in Franklin County (see Figure 2). 42 71 DELAWARE

UNION
Delaware

36 36
37

Alum
Creek
42 23
33

ke La
71
315

DELAWARE 750

33 FRANKLIN Westerville
270
270
Worthington

Figure 2:  Study Area

Columbus

About the Study Area

Delaware County is rapidly growing and

has been transitioning from an agricultural
community to a dense, suburban community.

Central Ohio is the fastest-growing metro

area in the Midwest and has become a
freight and logistics hub

U.S. 23 is the primary route between

Columbus and Toledo.

Truck traffic is expected to approximately

double by 2050.

Between Waldo and I-270, through traffic

also currently uses U.S. 36/SR 37, U.S. 42, and
SR 315 (see Figure 3).

Figure 3:  Percentage of Through Trips

Between Waldo and I-270
Data Source: StreetLight Data, Inc.

3
PRELIMINARY FEASIBILITY STUDY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY | U.S. 23 CORRIDOR STUDY | PID 112768

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
Public engagement was conducted throughout the study
process and over 6,500 individuals responded to the public
surveys and/or provided comments during two rounds of
engagement.
Engagement included:
• Project website with project information and schedules
• Two rounds of public meetings (a total of 11 meetings)
• Two surveys (see Figure 5 for Round 1 survey results)
• An informational video
• FAQ and project overview materials
• Comment Response summary
All of the public engagement materials are available on the
study website (see Figure 4): publicinput.com/23connect

In general, the public

felt that safety and
congestion were key
issues the study should
Figure 4:  Route 23 Connect Public Input Website
address.

ROUTE 23 CONNECT PROJECT SURVEY (ROUND 1 RESULTS)

Q: From not important to very important, indicate how important you feel each of the
following goals are for U.S. 23:

LEGEND 100
Not Important
80
Percent of Total Votes

Low
Importance
60
Neutral

Important
40

Very
Important
20

00 Improve Improve Increase Advance Expand Expand public

traffic flow/ safety for all connections regional bikeability/ transportation
congestion users to regional growth and walkability options (i.e.
destinations development bus)

Figure 5:  Route 23 Connect Project

Round 1 Survey Results
4
 PRELIMINARY FEASIBILITY STUDY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY | U.S. 23 CORRIDOR STUDY | PID 112768

PURPOSE & NEED

The need of the future project is to improve traffic flow for
through traffic, freight, and commuter vehicles between The purpose of the
Waldo and I-270. The need focuses on several metrics:
study is to enhance
• Reduce times between Waldo and 1-270
• Improve travel time reliability so people can count on
regional connectivity
consistent travel times during particular periods of and mobility by
each day (e.g. morning commute)
creating a free-flowing
• Improve safety for local and regional trips
• Reduce congestion for local and regional trips connection between
• Be consistent with local community goals by reducing Waldo and I-270.
diversion of traffic from U.S. 23 to local roads

Key Issues In The Study Area Today KLINGEL RD

SMELTZER RD
Waldo

ING RD

ALMENDINGER RD
WALDO FULTON
RD

MARION
MORROW
GOOD
PROSPECT MT VERNON RD

GILLETTE RD
PR
OS
PE CT-
MT
V ER
NO
PROSPECT NORTO N
N RD
MARION RD

TRAVEL TIMES & TRAVEL TIME DELAWARE CLINE RD

NORTON RD

RELIABILITY

CURTIS RD
ROBERTS RD

23 229
PEEL RD

The nearly 40 signalized intersections on

THOMAS RD
PRICE RD

U.S. 23 in the study area create delays for

HEDLEY RD

RD
BISHOP RD

Delaware Lake
SECTION LINE
through traffic and freight, adding over 10 RA DNOR
RD
SHOEMAKER RD

minutes of travel time during peak hours.

TROY RD

H ORSESHOE RD
PENRY RD
LEO
NA
R DSB
U RG
RD
GALLANT RD

CONGESTION
MAIN RD

BUTTERMILK HILL RD COOVER RD H A N OV

E R RD
CE RD

The segment between Waldo and I-270 is

LAWREN

KELLY-MCMASTER
RD
HILLS-MILLER RD

the only portion of the I-75/U.S. 23/SR

BYERS RD

15 corridor between Columbus and Toledo

HARRIS RD
HUDSON RD

WARRENSBURG RD

where volumes exceed roadway capacity

ST
LAKE

36

(see Figure 1).

WAR R EN R

SUN
BBO WNN RRDD
Delaware
BURY OW TO
WTOW
RD

36
D

LE R
D RD
MAR
Y SVIL ON CU
R 37 BAKER RD
ND
36
RD

VE
LO RD
N

37
GLEN

PITTSBURGH DR

N RDN RD
AIRPORT RD
K RD

BERLINBER

42
LIBERTY RD

ROLOSO
CU
RV
E

SAFETY
POLLOC

RD

ROLOSO
SLACK RD
E RD

STALIN
TIOSTA
D IK

23
N RD
N
KLO

TION RD

The study area includes dozens of high- BUNTY STATION RD

BRAUMILL ER RD

priority safety locations, with crashes

SECTION LINE RD

FORD RD

occurring in higher numbers than expected BEAN-OLLER RD

BEAN-OLLER RD

for these types of locations (see Figure 6).

CLARK-SHAW RD
WINTER RD
PEACHBLOW RD
HARDIN LN
PIATT RD
DUBLIN R

HYATTS RD

SHANAHAN RD
D

LIBERTY RD

OLE
NT

RD
DUFFY
ANG
YR

LEWIS CENTER
RD
IVE

HOME RD
R RD

OLD STATE RD

RUTHERFORD RD 315
Top 100 Ranked HSIP Intersection
COOK RD
ORANGE RD

SELDOM SEEN RD
LIBERTY RD

RD
HARRIOTT

100 - 500 Ranked HSIP Intersection POWELL RD

D
CK R
GLI
750
RIVE

Top 100 Ranked HSIP Segment

RSID
ED

DELAWARE
R
DUBL
IN RD

FRANKLIN
100 - 500 Ranked HSIP Segment
SUMMIT VIEW RD

23
D

Dublin
TR
IN

PARK RD
SMOKY

FL
ROW RD

Figure 6:  2018 Highway Safety

COFFMAN RD

Improvement Program (HSIP)

270 Locations K RD
SNOUFFER RD OC
HR
D

VILLAGE SC
Worthington
HR

PKWY
33
ORT
SAWMILL RD

LINW

Columbus
5
DUBLIN-GRANV
ILLE RD
PRELIMINARY FEASIBILITY STUDY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY | U.S. 23 CORRIDOR STUDY | PID 112768

COMPARISON OF CONCEPTS
A total of seven (7) concepts were developed as depicted
on the following pages. The areas shown on the map for
each concept are broad in nature and represent general
connections ODOT is considering, not specific routings. The
shaded areas for each concept are much wider than an actual
new roadway.
A total of seven (7) concepts were developed and analyzed in
this study:
• No-Build
• Upgrade existing U.S. 23 to free-flow (C1)
• Two new freeway connections to U.S. 33 to the west
(W1 and W2)
• Three new freeway connections to I-71 to the east (E1,
E2, and E3)

Concepts were compared using a

variety of metrics. Each concept is
shown highlighting how it performed
in key metrics – areas where there was
substantial differentiation among the
concepts, or areas that were particularly
important toward judging a concept’s
feasibility. A more complete list of
evaluation metrics is shown on Figure 15.
Figure 7:  Estimated Benefit-Cost Ratios

No-Build
CONCEPT OVERVIEW
Travel Time (Through and
Local) --- • Existing roadways
• Includes additional projects
committed or in planning stages
Safety --- • Continued maintenance
• Monitoring to identify safety or
Community Effects --- operations improvements
CONCEPT EVALUATION
Potential Impacts to • Would not address congestion or
Underserved Populations ++ safety issues in study area
Potential for Residential • Congestion and safety issues
would continue
and Commercial +++
Displacements

Farmland +++

Costs +++
Legend
--- -- - o + ++ +++
Ability to be Phased +++ Least Most
Desirable Desirable

Figure 8:  No-Build Overview

6
 PRELIMINARY FEASIBILITY STUDY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY | U.S. 23 CORRIDOR STUDY | PID 112768

CONCEPTS CONSIDERED
Concept C1
New/Modified Interchanges CONCEPT OVERVIEW
Travel Time (Through and
Local) +++ • 11 new/modified interchanges
• Limited access w/ service roads
• Additional through lanes
Safety +++
CONCEPT EVALUATION
• Greatest expected improvement
Community Effects ++ in travel times
• Greatest expected improvement
Potential Impacts to to safety
Underserved Populations --
• Highest cost – approximately
Potential for Residential double other concepts
and Commercial --- • Highest potential for
Displacements displacements and impacts to
underserved populations, as
work is within highly-developed
Farmland o corridor

Costs ---
Legend

+++
--- -- - o + ++ +++
Ability to be Phased
Least Most
Desirable Desirable
Figure 9:  Concept C1 Overview

Concept W1
CONCEPT OVERVIEW
Travel Time (Through and
23
Local) + • New freeway from U.S. 23 to U.S.
33
• Use U.S. 33 to connect to I-270
Safety ++
CONCEPT EVALUATION
229 • Lowest cost of build concepts
Community Effects -- • Minimal travel time benefits,
because it is not expected to draw
42 71
Potential Impacts to a large percentage of through
Underserved Populations o traffic
• Potential impacts to hundreds of
Potential for Residential
36 36 acres of farmland
37
and Commercial -
23 Displacements
42
33

315
Farmland
71 --
750
33 Costs --
270
270 Legend
Ability to be Phased --- --- -- - o + ++ +++

Least Most
Desirable Desirable
Figure 10:  Concept W1 Overview
7
 PRELIMINARY FEASIBILITY STUDY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY | U.S. 23 CORRIDOR STUDY | PID 112768

CONCEPTS CONSIDERED (CONTINUED)

Concept W2
CONCEPT OVERVIEW
23 Travel Time (Through and
Local) + • New freeway from U.S. 23 to U.S.
42
• Upgraded U.S. 42 to U.S. 33
Safety ++ • Use U.S. 33 to connect to I-270
229 CONCEPT EVALUATION
Community Effects -- • Among the lower cost build
concepts
42 71
Potential Impacts to • Minimal travel time benefits,
Underserved Populations o because it is not predicted to
attract a large percentage of
36 Potential for Residential
36 through traffic
37
and Commercial -- • Potential impacts to hundreds of
23 Displacements
42 acres of farmland
33
• Impacts to properties along U.S.
315
71 Farmland -- 42
750
33 Costs --
270
270 Legend
--- -- - o + ++ +++
Ability to be Phased --- Least Most
Desirable Desirable

Figure 11:  Concept W2 Overview

Concept E1
CONCEPT OVERVIEW
Travel Time (Through and
Local) +++ • New freeway from U.S. 23 to I-71
23
• Use I-71 to connect to I-270
Safety + CONCEPT EVALUATION
• One of greatest expected
improvements in travel times
Community Effects -- • Potential impacts to hundreds of
229 acres of farmland
Potential Impacts to • Residents and businesses
Underserved Populations - impacted would not receive
42 71
much of the benefits of the
Potential for Residential
improvements
and Commercial --
36
Displacements
36
37

23 Farmland ---
42
3
71
315
Costs --
750 Legend
33 --- -- - o + ++ +++
270
270
Ability to be Phased --- Least Most
Desirable Desirable

Figure 12:  Concept E1 Overview

8
 PRELIMINARY FEASIBILITY STUDY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY | U.S. 23 CORRIDOR STUDY | PID 112768

CONCEPTS CONSIDERED (CONTINUED)

Concept E2
CONCEPT OVERVIEW
Travel Time (Through and
Local) ++ • New freeway from U.S. 23 to U.S.
36/ SR 37
23
• Use U.S. 36/SR 37 to connect to
Safety + I-71
• Use I-71 to connect to I-270
Community Effects -- CONCEPT EVALUATION
229 • One of greatest expected
Potential Impacts to improvements in travel times
Underserved Populations - • Potential impacts to hundreds of
42 71
acres of farmland
Potential for Residential
• Requires widening U.S. 36/SR 37
and Commercial -- within Alum Creek State Park
36
Displacements
36
37 • Residents and businesses
impacted would not receive
23 Farmland -- much of the benefits of the
42
3
improvements
71
315
Costs --
750 Legend
33 --- -- - o + ++ +++
270
270
Ability to be Phased --- Least Most
Desirable Desirable

Figure 13:  Concept E2 Overview

Concept E3
CONCEPT OVERVIEW
Travel Time (Through and
Local) ++ • Use U.S. 23 to SR 229
23
• New freeway from SR 229 to I-71
• Use I-71 to connect to I-270
Safety +
CONCEPT EVALUATION
• One of greatest expected
Community Effects -- improvements in travel times
229
• Potential impacts to hundreds of
Potential Impacts to acres of farmland, although less
Underserved Populations - than E1, E2
42 71
Potential for Residential • Requires widening SR 229
through Delaware State Park
and Commercial --
Displacements • Residents and businesses
36 36
37 impacted would not receive
much of the benefits of the
23 Farmland - improvements
42

71
315
Costs --
750 Legend
33 --- -- - o + ++ +++
270
270
Ability to be Phased --- Least Most
Desirable Desirable

Figure 14:  Concept E3 Overview

9
PRELIMINARY FEASIBILITY STUDY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY | U.S. 23 CORRIDOR STUDY | PID 112768

SUMMARY EVALUATION MATRIX

Concept Concept Concept Concept Concept Concept

No-Build
C1 W1 W2 E1 E2 E3

Reduce Travel Times --- +++ + + +++ ++ ++

Primary Needs

Improve Travel Time

Reliability --- +++ + + ++ ++ ++
Free-Flow Connection
between Waldo & I-70 --- +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ +++

Improve Safety --- +++ ++ ++ + + +

Secondary Needs

Improve Through
Congestion --- +++ ++ ++ + + +

Improve Local Congestion --- +++ + + ++ ++ ++

Community Effects along
Existing Through Routes --- ++ -- -- -- -- --

Farmland Impacts +++ o -- -- --- -- -

Natural & Cultural
Resource Impacts

Park & Recreational

Impacts +++ - o o o - ---
Streams, Waterways, &
Olentangy Watershed +++ -- - - -- --- ---

Other Natural Resources +++ - -- -- -- -- --

Displacements +++ --- - -- -- -- --

Community
Impacts

Potential Impacts to
Underserved Populations ++ -- o o - - -
Community Effects Outside
of Through Routes o + -- -- -- -- --

Construction Costs +++ --- -- -- -- -- --

Right-of-Way Acreage +++ - -- --- --- --- ---

Costs

Regional Travel Time Delay

User Benefit --- +++ + + ++ ++ ++

Funding/Phasing +++ +++ --- --- --- --- ---

Legend

--- -- - o + ++ +++
Least Desirable Most Desirable
Figure 15:  Summary Evaluation Matrix
10