HANOVER TOWNSHIP Project will make intersection safer
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
HANOVERTON -- Ohio and Columbiana County officials are wrapping up an approximately $1 million project intended to make a dangerous intersection safer.
Officials were to do a final inspection of the project this week, said Bob Durbin, a deputy county engineer.
Crews began working in March on the undertaking, funded by the state and the county.
The project is in Hanover Township at Mechanicstown Road and state Route 644, south of Hanoverton.
The county road provides a direct route between Hanoverton and state Route 644, allowing drivers to avoid going a longer way via U.S. 30.
Purpose: The project's goal was to reconfigure the intersection so that the two roads meet at 90-degree angles instead of tighter angles that restrict drivers' vision.
Also undertaken was removing part of a knoll that lies just east of the crossroad. State Route 644 curves around the small hill.
The bend in the road made it difficult for motorists to see when pulling from Mechanicstown Road onto state Route 644, where traffic has the right of way.
Officials said they hope the highway work will make the crossroad less hazardous.
The intersection is known for its traffic accidents and close calls. Crash statistics weren't readily available.
The county contributed about $236,000 to the undertaking. Of that, $83,000 was for engineering and $153,000 was for construction.
County funding was used because the project included a county road, Durbin explained.
The county got its share of the money from its road and bridge fund, which is created through license plate fees and gasoline taxes.