B&N developed and compared alternatives to address crash patterns and congestion along SR 159 (Bridge Street) from the Stewart Road/Consumer Center Drive intersection at the south to the Pawnee Road intersection at the north in Chillicothe, Ohio. In addition to safety and capacity improvements, B&N analyzed alternatives to improve pedestrian connectivity throughout the corridor. Additional challenges this corridor presented included access to dozens of businesses and residential developments within a narrow existing right-of-way footprint. To address these challenges and the many residents and businesses that will be impacted by the project, B&N began coordination with key stakeholders, including all City of Chillicothe government departments, before developing any alternatives to get their input, make them aware of the project and provide full transparency throughout the process. The same process was followed for the public through a Public Involvement Plan developed by B&N. All this coordination was communicated and documented to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) District 9 staff through bi-weekly team coordination meetings and monthly progress reports.
During the initial preliminary engineering study, B&N developed alternatives using 3D models to accurately show the potential impacts each solution could have on the adjacent businesses. With these 3D models, the team was able to transition seamlessly into design once the preferred alternative was identified. During design, B&N developed construction plans for over two miles of roadway widening along Bridge Street, a new ramp configuration at the US 35 and Bridge Street interchange, half a mile of shared use path and sidewalk on both sides of Bridge Street. B&N also designed a single-lane roundabout at the intersection of Stewart Road and Consumer Center Drive to facilitate better access to the businesses and reduce left-turn conflicts at the Bridge Street and Stewart Road intersection.
Additionally, the team designed seven new traffic signals along the corridor, replacing the existing span wires with mast arms and upgrading the signals and control boxes to current standards. These intersections were also equipped with enhanced pedestrian crossings to improve visibility and maximize safety for all users in the corridor. Finally, extensive coordination with the City of Chillicothe occurred to identify aesthetic enhancement treatments to improve the visual of the corridor. This resulted in the implementation of decorative lighting along the shared-use path, pocket parks to allow pedestrians to stop and rest, decorative railing along the pedestrian facilities, connection to the existing trail network that runs through the corridor and enhancements to the roundabout. All these aesthetic enhancements provide a gateway experience for the Bridge Street corridor and improve the economic vitality of the many businesses in the area.