CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Rumors of a roundabout being constructed directly on Bridge Street in Chillicothe have been dispelled by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), which is instead planning a series of safety and infrastructure improvements along the busy S.R. 159/Bridge Street corridor. The project began earlier this year and is scheduled to conclude by summer 2027. It aims to reduce crashes, ease congestion, and improve pedestrian access without altering the core traffic flow of Bridge Street itself.
“I don’t know how many of my fellow Ross Countians need to hear this, it seems like several, but there is NO roundabout planned ON Bridge Street in Chillicothe,” said Matt Bruning, ODOT press secretary and a Ross County resident. “It will be on River Trace.” Bruning emphasized that details about the project, addressing misconceptions about roundabouts. “Most people don’t even know why they dislike them. It keeps things moving, but obviously they don’t eliminate the possibility of congestion. Of course, that will likely come from the traffic signal at Bridge, if it happens.”
The $19.3 million project, fully funded with an additional $7.1 million approved in March 2023, will enhance the corridor between Riverside Street and the Chillicothe Mall. Key improvements include adding a northbound lane from Stewart Road to north of Pawnee Road, creating a southbound drop lane to the U.S. 35 westbound ramp, and re-aligning interchange ramps with new 9-inch concrete pavement. Pedestrian-friendly upgrades, such as a shared-use path and sidewalks on both sides of the street where feasible, will also be added.
Other changes include a new access road, Marietta Road, behind Applebee’s and Raising Cane’s, and a roundabout at near WalMart on River Trace—not on Bridge Street itself. Seven intersections will receive new traffic signal poles, lights, and control equipment, alongside aesthetic enhancements to improve the corridor’s appearance. The Stewart/Consumer Center intersection will also see reconfigured turn lanes, including dual right-turn lanes for westbound traffic.
In layman’s terms, the project is like giving Bridge Street a major tune-up. Imagine a crowded road where cars keep bumping into each other because there’s not enough space or the signals are outdated. ODOT is adding an extra lane for northbound drivers, making it easier to turn onto U.S. 35, and upgrading traffic lights to keep things moving smoothly. The new sidewalks and paths mean walkers and bikers get safer routes, while the roundabout on River Trace will help traffic flow at that intersection without stopping every few seconds. It’s not about flipping the whole road upside down but making it safer and less frustrating for everyone.
For local residents, these changes address long-standing safety concerns. Between 2014 and 2018, ODOT identified multiple intersections along Bridge Street with high crash rates, particularly rear-end collisions, driven by congestion. A 2020 feasibility study and public outreach in 2021 shaped the project’s scope, ensuring community input.
During construction, ODOT plans to minimize disruptions. In the first three phases, traffic will flow in both directions through the U.S. 35 interchange. In later phases, two to three northbound lanes will remain open, but southbound traffic, except for the westbound ramp to U.S. 35, will be detoured.
The project’s completion in 2027 is expected to transform Bridge Street into a safer, more efficient corridor, addressing years of community concerns.