Project Description
Part 1: Improvement of the intersection of Lewis Center Road (CR 106) and Bale Kenyon Road (TR 107) by construction of a modern roundabout to enhance safety and improve function of the intersection. The project includes widening, grading, drainage, and lighting as well as a shared use path. The existing bridge over Alum Creek will be rehabilitated.
Part 2: Improvement of Bale Kenyon Road from Orange Road to just south of Lewis Center Road including widening, grading, drainage and a new shared use path on the east side of the road.
Project Location and Limits:
Part 1: Lewis Center Road from 1/8 mile west of Bale Kenyon Road to Crystal Valley Drive.
Part 2: Bale Kenyon Road from Orange Road to approximately 1/4 mile south of Lewis Center Road.
Purpose and Need of Project
The purpose and need of this project is to improve safety and mobility at the intersection of Lewis Center Road and along Bale Kenyon Road, and to ensure continued safe operation of the Lewis Center Road bridge over Alum Creek. The project is also proposed to provide safe accommodation of pedestrian and recreational bicycle traffic along Bale Kenyon Road from the existing shared use path at Orange Road to the Alum Creek State Park.
The need for the project is based on the intersection of Lewis Center and Bale Kenyon Roads currently operating at a poor level of service in peak travel hours. Projected traffic growth in the area is expected to increase delays and potentially increase crashes due to lack of acceptable gaps in traffic to allow turns. Also, the deck of the existing bridge over Alum Creek is poor condition due to normal deterioration over its 40+ year lifespan, and it is in need of replacement to continue to function adequately. Finally, there is no dedicated pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure in the area to safely accommodate recreational bicycle users and pedestrian along Bale Kenyon Road.
Alternatives
Part 1: A traffic signal with turn lanes was analyzed as well as the modern roundabout alternative. It was determined that the modern roundabout will operate more efficiently than the traffic signal alternative, with the added benefits of being cheaper to build and safer based on the crash rate of modern roundabouts versus traditional intersections.
Part 2: Several different roadway sections were considered including a more rural open-ditch design and a more urban curb/gutter design. The preferred alternative included elements of open ditch design and curb and gutter design to minimize right of way and environmental impacts and reduce land acquisition costs. The preferred location of the shared use path was determined to be on the east side of Bale Kenyon Road due to roadway design and property impact concerns with placing the path on the east side. Due to right of way constraints a separate sidewalk on the west side of Bale Kenyon Road was not included in the project.
Lewis Center & Bale Kenyon Intersection Improvements
Construction Updates
Construction Update (07-03-2017):
8-8-17: Lewis Center Road to Reopen Friday, August 11
The new roundabout at Lewis Center and Bale Kenyon will open the afternoon of August 11.
Beginning Monday, August 14, Bale Kenyon Road will close to through traffic for replacement of 2 bridges, and final work on the widening of Bale Kenyon Road between Orange and Lewis Center Road. The posted detour will use Orange Road to Old State to Lewis Center Road.
Lewis Center and Bale Kenyon Intersection Fully Closed July 10:
Phase 2 of the Lewis Center and Bale Kenyon Improvements (and the final phase of work on the bridge deck replacement on Lewis Center Road and the new roundabout at Bale Kenyon Road) will begin July 10. The work will require a full closure of the Lewis Center and Bale Kenyon Intersection. Lewis Center Road will reopen on or about August 11. Two-way traffic on Bale Kenyon will resume with access provided to/from the south.
After Lewis Center Road reopens in August, Phase 3 of improvements to Bale Kenyon will continue with a closure for two bridge replacements, with all work to be completed in November. Local traffic will be maintained from the north and south to the closure points.
Construction Update (04-25-2017):
Lewis Center and Bale Kenyon Road Improvements to Kick Off Starting May 1:
The first phase of work to upgrade the Lewis Center and Bale Kenyon Roads will begin with a closure of Lewis Center Road beginning May 1. The work includes replacing the deck on the bridge below Alum Creek Dam and building the eastern approach to a new roundabout at the Bale Kenyon intersection. Additional work and road closures will be implemented in phases between May and October 2017. Visit our project page here for more information.
Construction Update (02-28-2017):
Phase 1: Construction will begin on or about May 1, 2017 and will require a closure of Lewis Center Road between Bale Kenyon and Africa Road. Northbound traffic on Bale Kenyon will also be detoured north of Orange Road at the same time. Local traffic on Bale Kenyon Road should enter the work zone from Lewis Center Road and exit to south toward Orange Road or Powell Road.
Phase 2: In July the intersection at Lewis Center and Bale Kenyon will close for about 30 days. Local traffic on Bale Kenyon Road will enter and exit the work zone from the south.
Phase 3: In August, Bale Kenyon Road will close just south of Bluffs Drive for about 45 days. Residents north of address #6404 (including Bale Kenyon Bluffs) will enter and exit the work zone from the north. All other residents will enter and exit the work zone from the south.
Phase 4: In September, Bale Kenyon Road will close just north of Bluffs Drive for about 45 days. Residents north of address #6258 will enter and exit the work zone from the north. All other residents will enter and exit the work zone from the north.
Project Schedule
Design engineering: 2013-15
Right-of-way acquisition: 2016
Utility relocation: 2016-17
Construction: 2017
Engineering Information
Construction plans prepared by Korda Engineering of Columbus, Ohio.
Construction Information
Competitively bid contract.
Estimated Project Cost
Part 1: $2.5 million including engineering, right of way acquisition and construction. A County Surface Transportation Program (CSTP) grant through the County Engineer’s Association of Ohio and ODOT will provide funding for up to 80% of construction costs.
Part 2: $2.6 million including engineering, right of way acquisition and construction. An Ohio Public Works Commission grant of $495,000 will pay for part of the road work, and an Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Clean Ohio Trail Fund grant will provide funding for the shared use path. Delaware County will fund the engineering and Orange Township will pay for the remaining project costs.
Questions or Comments
Delaware County welcomes your questions or comments on this project. Please contact us at 740-833-2400 or by email at delcoeng@co.delaware.oh.us for more information.