SAVANNAH — A small village on the northern end of Ashland County received a $173,000 grant to install crosswalk beacons along U.S. 250.
The Village of Savannah is slated for what ODOT calls “Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs).” The beacons are what Ashland University uses for its students at crosswalks around campus.
Village Administrator Bruce Richards said he applied for the money in September.
“I got it in just before the deadline,” he said, acknowledging the quick turnaround.
But the quick response doesn’t mean a quick installation. Richards said ODOT estimates the project won’t wrap up until 2027.
The beacons will be installed at an existing crosswalk, at the intersection of South Main and West Main streets — or by the Cattleman’s Restaurant and Academy Park.
Richards said the motivation for the grant was safety to pedestrians, especially children crossing the street in the morning to catch the bus.
“The park is getting more attention these days because we’re fixing it up, so we just want that area to be safer for people walking,” he said.
He estimates the grant will cover the whole project, which includes giving the existing crosswalk fresh markings.
More grant money on its way?
The ODOT grant, part of the agency’s abbreviated safety fund, is not part of a $750,000 federal grant for which Richards applied earlier this year. One of the line items in that grant included the installation of RRFBs.
But Richards said if the village receives that grant, that part of it will go toward playground equipment at Academy Park.
The money would also cover:
- Installing a permanent structure for a restroom and an electronic sign at Savannah Academy Park.
- Widening of Haney Street’s apron at U.S. Route 250 and other improvements.
- More sidewalks on Bailey Street.
- Installing basketball and pickleball courts
The village administrator hopes to hear about that grant later this month.