Xenia starts $817K traffic safety improvements

Construction has started on couple of traffic safety improvements in Xenia near Walmart that will reduce crashes and congestion, according to city officials.

The city will use a mix of federal and city funds totalling $817,000 to install a stop sign on the U.S. Route 35 east exit ramp near West Main Street and a traffic light in the Hospitality Drive and West Main Street area.

Construction is expected to take a year to complete.

The city initiated plans for the stop sign and traffic light after the West Main Street and Hospitality Drive intersection was identified as a problem area according to a three-year traffic study obtained by the city. The traffic study showed there were 30 crashes at the intersection; 80 percent of those crashes were rear-end collisions.

“Allowing people to turn left to turn left into Walmart and turn right at a signalling light will make it safer for everyone,” said Lee Warren, a city spokesman.

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