Project Description
With the construction of three new schools (Olentangy Orange High School, Orange Middle School and Freedom Trail Elementary), traffic has increased dramatically to over 10,000 vehicles per day on East Orage Road. The existing, narrow 2-lane roadway is not able to handle the volume of traffic and due to its narrow pavement, creates unsafe conditions when wide vehicles such as school buses pass. In addition, there are no pedestrian facilities on Orange Road to serve a large number of students who could otherwise walk or bike to school.
Project Location:
The project is located between South Old State Road and Bale Kenyon Road in Orange Township.
Project Scope:
East Orange Road will be rebuilt from South Old State Road to Bale Kenyon Road (including a portion of Bale Kenyon), including three new single-lane roundabouts at the intersections of Roespark, Walker Woods and Bale Kenyon. A bike path will be built along the south side of Orange Road from Old State to Walker Woods Blvd. From there, it crosses to the north side and extends to Bale Kenyon.
Roundabout Information:
Visit Delaware County’s roundabout information page for more information.
Construction Updates
08-18-11: East Orange Road to Reopen Friday, August 19
East Orange Road will reopen to traffic east of Old State Road at 4:00 pm on Friday, August 19. Construction began on the final phase of the project in March to widen Orange Road, replace a bridge and build a new single lane roundabout at the intersection of Roespark Drive. Work will continue into September to complete a new shared use path extending from Old State to Bale Kenyon Road while maintaining traffic on Orange Road.
This project has been a cooperative effort between Orange Township and Delaware County, and we greatly appreciate everyone’s patience during construction.
05-31-11: East Orange Road at Roespark Drive (and Middle School Entrance) to Close June 9th for 10 weeks
The road closure on East Orange Road will be extended to include the intersection of Roespark Drive (and the Orange Middle School Entrance) starting June 9th for construction of the third and final roundabout. The closure will last until mid-August. Temporary access to Orange Middle School will be from the High School entrance off Walker Wood Boulevard.
05-10-11: East Orange Road Construction Update
Work on the new bridge just east of Old State Road will be completed this Thursday, May 12 at which time access to Cross Creek Court will only be available from Old State Road across the new bridge. East Orange Road will remain closed to through traffic from Old State Road to Roespark Drive while crews continue rebuilding the road and installing storm sewers from Cross Creek Court to Roespark Drive. Construction of the third and final roundabout at Roespark and East Orange Road will begin in mid-June and will be completed in August of this year.
03-01-11: East Orange Road to Close March 7 for 5 months
Work will resume on the reconstruction of East Orange Road beginning March 7. The work will initially include replacement of the small bridge just east of Old State Road. This phase of the project will require full closure of the road from Old State to Roespark Blvd. and the Orange MS entrance. Residents living on Cross Creek Court must access their street from the east until after the bridge is completed in April, then access will be from the west. Additional information will be provided at that time.
The posted detour route uses Old State Rd. to Lewis Center Rd. to Bale Kenyon Rd. and the reverse. Local traffic will be maintained to residences along Orange Road. The closure of East Orange Road will last until mid-August. Please contact the County Engineer’s Office with any questions.
11-24-10: East Orange Road To Open Dec. 3
The new roundabout at the intersection of East Orange Road and Walker Wood/Abbey Knoll is scheduled to open 12/3. The previously scheduled 11/29 opening is being delayed by several days due to inclement weather. Orange Road will remain open to traffic through the winter months. Construction on the bridge just east of Old State Road will begin in March, requiring a 4 to 5 week closure. The dates of the closure will be released when they are available.
09-22-10: Bale Kenyon Road Open to Traffic:
Bale Kenyon Road is now open to East Orange Road. The final pavement surface, road markings and signing is in place at the new roundabout. East Orange Road at Abbey Knoll remains closed to through traffic. Access to the Orange Friends Church remains from Bale Kenyon. The intersection of Abbey Knoll/Walker Wood and Orange Road will reopen in November after that roundabout is completed.
08-30-10: Abbey Knoll and Walker Wood Boulevard Closed at East Orange Road
The Abbey Knoll/Walker Wood intersection with East Orange Road is closed to traffic during construction of Phase 2 of the East Orange Road Improvement project. This work includes a new roundabout at this intersection. East Orange Road is closed east of the Orange High School entrance until the new roundabout is complete, currently scheduled for November. Access to Friends Church continue to be from Bale Kenyon Road.
08-23-10: Bale Kenyon Road open to Freedom Trail Elementary and Friends Church on East Orange
Phase 1 of the East Orange Road Improvements project is nearing completion. The new roundabout at Bale Kenyon and East Orange Road is open to local traffic including Freedom Trail Elementary and the Friends Church on East Orange Road. Through traffic must still use the detour until lighting and final pavement and signing is completed in late September.
06-08-10: East Orange and Bale Kenyon Intersection to Close June 10 to Aug 20
The intersection of East Orange Road and Bale Kenyon Road will be closed from June 10 to August 20 for construction of a roundabout. Access to Freedom Trail Elementary will be maintained only for employees of the school. Through traffic is being detoured using Powell Road to Worthington Road to Africa Road, or the reverse.
Road Closure Information
Sections of East Orange Road will be closed beginning from the east end, with traffic detoured during construction. Construction is expected to last about 15 months. The road will be fully open during winter months.
Project Schedule
Construction will run from May 2010 to August 2011, with no construction during winter months. Orange Road will be open to traffic when work is not underway.
Engineering & Construction Information
M-E Companies of Westerville, Ohio prepared construction and right of way plans for the improvement. The construction contract was awarded to Shelly & Sands, Inc. of Columbus, Ohio.
Estimated Project Cost
The estimated construction cost of the project is $4.5 million.
The project is funded through a combination of township road and park funds, state grants for bikeway construction and county road and bridge funds for replacement of a bridge within the project limits.