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ODOT looking for public comments on the I-475 expansion project

The project would expand lanes on I-475 and improve pedestrian safety on bridges, but some community members feel this is a waste of taxpayer money.

TOLEDO, Ohio —

The Ohio Department of Transportation is looking for community members' input on the I-475 improvement projects. 

The expansion project was proposed a few years ago and would widen I-475 between U.S. 23 and Douglas Road, repave entrance and exit ramps and potentially add a diverging diamond at Secor Road.

Part of the project includes updates to the Bowen and Rushland bridges to make them more pedestrian-friendly.

The project, which is estimated to cost $217.5 million, has some community members concerned and feeling like their concerns are not being heard.

That's why Peggy Daly-Masternak is now the coordinator of the I-475 Neighborhoods Coalition.

"It's a community decision, however, because it impacts so many people," Daly-Masternak said. "It impacts taxpayers, it impacts residents who live nearby, it impacts people all around the county because climate concerns are a real concern."

Daly-Masternak said the price tag is a concern and she said it feels like a waste of taxpayer money.

Patrick McColley, the ODOT Deputy Director of District 2, said the repaving of the roads was going to happen at some point and they wanted to address other concerns at the same time.

"As infrastructure ages, whether it's waterlines or sewer lines, or roads or what's under our roads, you need to replace those," McColley said. "So when you look at the cost, a lot of that cost is actually the rehab of the pavement, rehab of what's already out there."

ODOT officials said they would need to take some strips of land for the expansion, but no more than 10 feet.

Daly-Masternak said ODOT said the expansion would help with congestion, but she said that is not a good reason for it.

"The average delay in this project area is about one minute," Daly-Masternak said. "Compare that to the number one ranked congested highway in America. That's the Cross Bronx Expressway in New York City. The average delay time is 47 minutes."

McColley said the expansion would help first responders when responding to accidents, allowing them to pull over safely.

Noise was another common concern had by multiple community members at ODOT's open house at Epworth United Methodist Church Tuesday.

McColley said there are different options for noise walls, but it would depend on what impacted community members decide to do.

McColley said the project would not start until closer to 2027. 

To see more information on the project or to leave a public comment online, click here.

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