Ashland County commissioners on Thursday approved an engineering services agreement with Columbus-based Carpenter Marty Transportation for a planned roundabout at West Main Street (County Road 1356) and Baney Road (County Road 1153), according to Ashland Source.
The contract is valued at $523,484.69. County Engineer Ed Meixner described the crossing as the county's worst intersection and said a nearby housing development off Smith and Baney roads added to the safety case.
Intersection studies took place in 2015, 2021 and 2025; the most recent, by Carpenter Marty, recommended a roundabout. The newly approved work will examine feasibility, with sub-consultants conducting geotechnical, environmental and historical/architectural reviews while preliminary planning proceeds. Meixner said property discussions and any appraisals or land offers would occur in a later phase outside this agreement.
The project is estimated at $3.2 million. Meixner said construction accounts for roughly $2.3 million, with about $900,000 for engineering and studies. Federal and state sources cover 90 percent, leaving the county responsible for about $320,000, or 10 percent. The state's share comes from highway safety funds. Federal money is unavailable until fiscal year 2029, which Meixner identified as July 2028. The county expects to seek Ohio Public Works Commission funding, likely next year, for its local share.