Paulding County has seen many of it’s own killed in the past several years after US 24 opened to a four lane expressway. On Thursday, August 7, Kirk Slusher of ODOT spoke of the US 24 expansion issues and tragedies since the highway has opened, specifically in areas of Paulding and Defiance counties. This took place at the OSU Extension in Paulding with about 60 people present for the meeting.
It was an emotional time for families who have lost their loved ones. And there are those who are also living their life disabled from severe injuries. ODOT recognizes the fact that many more people have died in this 20 mile stretch of highway than any other they have comparable with at-grade intersections. US 30 through Van Wert was noted as to not have near the accidents and no deaths in this same time period.
Kirk Slusher, ODOT
Kirk Slusher of Lima assumed the position of deputy director for the Ohio Department of Transportation District 1 on January 10, 2011. Originally from Antwerp, Slusher graduated from Ohio Northern University with a bachelor of science in civil engineering. Immediately following graduation, Slusher started working for the Ohio Department of Transportation in District 1 as a design engineer.
Kirk opened the informal meeting with statistics at the at-grade intersections, not overpasses or on ramps, and ask attendants what they thought was the problem. There are a higher number of fatalities than other four lanes roads of District One. “What can be done about this?” Was the question for the night.
There are at least two more deaths, maybe more, because the spreadsheet of statistics was made from police reports, but later people have passed away as a result of the accidents.
Defiance has had 0 fatalities and only 1 wreck. There are more full interchanges (overpasses and exits) and most, if not all, of the roads connecting at-grade intersections were redesigned to connect perpendicular instead of odd angles that Paulding County has where people really have to stretch their necks to view oncoming traffic fully and their vehicle beams may obstruct the view because of this.
Changing US 24 from two to four lane reduced accidents, but fatalities have increased significantly.
A comment made by George Schaffer, “Some of the vehicles built with support columns are difficult to see the first lane with when you are at the median intersection.” Line of sight was brought up a couple of times because of the angle of the roads intersecting. It was made clear by the people present the best way to avoid fatalities would be to have overpasses like I-75 or I-69 and cut off other roads that cross the highway.
The sheets that were passed out to all who attended gave many statistics. DOWNLOAD THE STAT SHEETS HERE: Most of the accidents have happened in the second set of lanes after successfully crossing the right bound lane.
Sergeant Cook, Van Wert State Patrol
State Patrol’s Sergeant Shawn Cook said, “Educating the public is important on crossing the median. Many of the people in Paulding County may not have driven on four lane roads before US 24, especially from those living in the northern half of the county. Defensive Driving is important no matter what the age.” Age could be factor with the visual aspects of crossing a highway according to the stats pointed out be Sergeant Cook.
There were emotional comments “The median crossings have got to go. We need real overpasses. These are our families here.”
Other ideas or reasons people gave included: There is a lot of cars that can be at the intersections at the same time who all trying to cross at the same time. US 24 was built for through vehicles. The highway was built for speeds of 55 vs 65 or 70.
Slusher assured listeners he would go back and present his findings.
Following the meeting, Sheriff Jason Landers stated, “This is a concern for county officials too. The road is already there, so we must make sure people are aware of the dangers and take the extra precautions. The road may not be fixed in six months, a year, five years, if ever. We have other intersections in Paulding County that also have accidents regularly, but some can’t be eliminated so we do what we can to enable people to take precautions.”
Hopefully the meeting will known to take the first steps in resolving issues surrounding the highway with the community it lies within.
