Decision on Derr Road project in Springfield delayed

The existing four lanes of Derr Road. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

The existing four lanes of Derr Road. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

A decision about the future of one of the busiest streets in Springfield has been postponed until September.

The Ohio Department of Transportation was slated to approve the City of Springfield’s recommendation of Alternative 4, for Derr Road reconstruction at the Clark County-Springfield Transportation Coordinating Committee meeting on Friday.

Under Alternative 4, Derr Road would turn into a five-land roadway with a dedicated left turn lane and multi-use path on the east side of the road within the existing right-of-way.

LOCAL: Final vote expected Friday on Derr Road project in Springfield

However, Ohio Department of Transportation officials said they were unable to reach a recommendation with the report that was submitted to them by American Structurepoint, the engineering consulting firm hired by the city to recommend a plan for Derr Road.

“At the end of the day, there’s just not enough information in that report for us to vote yes,” said Matt Parrill, transportation planning and engineering administrator for ODOT.

ODOT’s approval on the Derr Road project is needed in order for the city to receive state funding for the project.

Parrill said comments about the report will now be sent back to the city for elaboration.

“They will have a certain amount of time to get it back to us, we will have a certain amount of time to review it,” Parrill said. “We will then have a report that supports some alternative.”

The TCC will now vote on the future of Derr Road at their Sept. 13 meeting.

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