The Lucas County Engineer’s Office has been awarded a federal grant for construction of two new roundabouts at Nebraska Avenue and Centennial Road in Springfield Township, and Sylvania Avenue and Richfield Center Road in Richfield Township. These projects, slated for construction in 2030, will involve conversion of the existing stop-controlled intersections into modern roundabouts, along with updated drainage, sidewalks and street lighting. “We are pleased to be awarded funds to construct two new roundabout intersections in Richfield and Springfield Townships,” said Mike Pniewski, county engineer. “As we continue to implement significant safety improvements to our roadways with roundabout intersections, we enhance the quality of life for those who use Lucas County highways.”
This award reflects LCEO’s commitment and success in obtaining competitive state and federal grants to fund proven, effective safety projects on county roads. Awarded by the County Engineer’s Association of Ohio, the funds come by way of the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program, whose goal is to fund projects that significantly reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries on all public roadways. It requires a data-driven, strategic approach to planning safety improvements that correct or improve an identified road, intersection or bridge. The grant has a matching requirement with an 80/20 ratio; 80 percent of the total cost comes from federal funds and 20 percent from a local match. Both projects are estimated to cost $1,125,500.
“Springfield Township was fortunate to have Lucas County’s first roundabout project in 2009,” Springfield Township Administrator Mike Hampton said. “The intersection of King Road and Nebraska Avenue had high crash and fatality accidents reports. Data will support that the crash and fatality accidents have decreased immensely.”
With this new roundabout, Springfield Township will add to its already robust number of roundabouts. After this year’s construction season, the township will be home to 13 roundabouts with four more planned, including this newly announced location at Nebraska and Centennial.
“Since 2009, Springfield Township has had over thirteen million dollars invested into construction of roundabouts,” said Hampton. “Moving traffic safely and efficiently are two key components to why Springfield Township supports the county’s efforts to construct roundabouts and we are thankful for the engineer’s continued partnership and commitment to our community.
From 2019 to 2023, Nebraska Avenue and Centennial Road had a 73 percent injury rate with 11 total crashes, eight of them causing injury, and a 4.46 severity score.
The location at Richfield Center Road and Sylvania Avenue will be Richfield Township’s third roundabout, joining the current ones on Kilburn at Brint roads and Sylvania Avenue. From 2019 to 2023, there were seven total crashes, four of which caused injuries, one of them being a serious injury. The intersection had a 57 percent injury rate and a 5.42 severity score.
