News
Construction at the intersection of state routes 682 and 56 in Athens draws concern from local businesses
By: Amanda Pirani
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB/Report for America) — The construction of a roundabout at the intersection of state routes 682 and 56 in Athens has raised concerns about the impact of traffic disruptions on local businesses and transportation to city schools.
Commencement of construction was announced last Wednesday, and the expected completion date is fall 2026. It marks the third major city roadway project in recent years.
According to city Service-Safety Director Andy Stone, the area was identified as a high-crash site by the Ohio Department of Transportation, and a safety study commissioned by ODOT recommended the roundabout as a long-term solution.
ODOT data from 2016-21 identified 53 total crashes in the area.
Councilmember Solveig Spjeldnes, Ward 1, said the project will also improve pedestrian safety.
“The sidewalk will be up a little bit along the road on 682 towards Kershaw Greene, not very far but at the most treacherous part of that walk,” she said.
She noted an additional project would be necessary to further extend the sidewalk toward Kershaw Greene, a large affordable housing complex.
Construction may affect school district traffic
Construction of another roundabout at the U.S. 33 interchange in The Plains is ongoing, which has resulted in concerns the new project will delay transportation of students to and from Athens City Schools.
Athens City School District Superintendent Chad Springer said the district is in communication with the city regarding the construction and will factor the project into decisions about bus routes and tardy slips.
According to Springer, the district was not given the date construction would break ground but was notified by the city in advance of the project.
“The best we can do is communicate with the city, remain in constant contact with them,” he said. “Work with them to reduce deliveries, like the major movement of major equipment … during peak hours.”
Local business community in Athens is worried about impacts
Business owners located near the intersection have expressed frustrations regarding city communication and the timing of the project. Many said they are still recovering from recent infrastructure upgrades on West Union Street, which resulted in lane closures.
The management of an ongoing project at the corner of Court and Union Street has received similar criticism for its impacts to local businesses.
Some have questioned beginning an additional roadway project while those at Stimson Avenue and the U.S. 33 interchange in The Plains remain in progress.
Stone said the start date was the result of ODOT funding requirements that the city bid the project before June 30, 2025, and spend the funds within two years.
Stone said the project’s timing was also affected by contractor availability among a difficult bidding environment and a statewide shortage of contractors.
The Ohio Department of Transportation awarded the city $2.089 million from its small-city fund for the project. The city also appropriated $1.083 million of its own funds and received $400,000 from the Ohio Public Works Commission.
Tyler Schloss, owner of White’s Mill, said he was frustrated the city had not done more to communicate the project’s planning and start date with local businesses. White’s Mill is located across from the intersection on State Route 682.
Schloss said he did not know construction would start last week until construction workers came by his store. He added that knowing about the project in advance would have affected his holiday stock orders.
“It makes you nervous getting the same amount of product as we had last year knowing it will probably be a downturn this year,” he said.
Stone said that while businesses were not directly contacted regarding the construction, the city followed its standard process of issuing news releases and notifications through its alert system, and relies on local media to publicize those announcements.
In response to a request for regular meetings with local business owners, Stone said that city officials are pulled in many directions, but he will answer questions made to his office.
Stone said the city has attempted to be responsive to public concerns, changing language in the release and signage that initially advised avoiding the area.
Polly Creech, owner of Hyacinth Bean on West Union Street, said messaging from the city is her primary concern.
“I’m fine and dandy with the construction, but I want the city to at least acknowledge that small businesses face many struggles,” she said. “And show some support for small businesses.”
Jimmy Stockwell, co-owner of Little Fish Brewing Company, said he similarly hopes the city will encourage the public to continue moving through the area.
“We’re hoping that the city will do what they can for the businesses on this end of town, mainly messaging that all lanes of traffic are open,” he said.
According to Stone, this project is distinct from previous construction in that traffic will continue to flow in all directions, and he does not expect it to have the same impacts to surrounding businesses.
“We really made an effort to keep the legs of the intersection open,” he said. “While it’s never ideal, never convenient to have construction, when there’s a safety problem in the area and you have the funding, you have to do it.”
The project’s traffic plan maintains the flow of traffic and access to driveways along the intersection but does involve the closure of sidewalks in the area.
Slice House and Avalanche Pizza partnering manager Brandon Jacobs said that even as he and other business owners attended city meetings regarding the project, they felt ignored in the decision-making process.
He worries the Slice House and others will see less business as a result of the construction, just as they’re beginning to recover from the West Union Street project.
“How do they expect us to survive?” Jacobs asked. “I love the idea of Athens, and I think the community and the spirit is there … but the more and more I get into the business and the politics of it, it does not feel like the city and the city government care about what makes Athens special, and that’s the people and the local businesses.”
Amanda Pirani is WOUB’s Report for America Journalist covering Economic Livelyhood. For more information about Report for America, you can click here.