ASHLAND — A planned $3.2 million roundabout project at the intersection of County Road 1356 (West Main Street) and County Road 1153 (Baney Road) is moving forward.
The Ashland County Board of Commissioners on Thursday approved an agreement with Columbus-based Carpenter Marty Transportation for consulting services for the installation of the roundabout.
County Engineer Ed Meixner said the cost of the engineering agreement is $523,484.69.
Meixner said the agreement includes some contingencies, but is not to exceed the agreed upon maximum.
“It is our (county’s) worst intersection,” he said. “As the numbers go, it is our worst intersection.”
A planned housing development nearby off Smith and Baney roads has also contributed to the need to improve safety at the intersection.
Studies of the intersection occurred in 2015, 2021 and again in 2025. The study completed in 2025 by Carpenter Marty Transportation recommended the installation of a roundabout.
Planned work with the engineering consultant will now help determine the feasibility of the project.
“There are studies that have to be done and then there’s preliminary plans and final engineering plans that have to be done if the studies show that we think what we’ve got is going to work,” the county engineer said.
Carpenter Marty Transportation will hire sub-consultants to perform the studies, including geotechnical work to test soil, an environmental report and a historical/architectural report.
“I think all those three (studies) will be fine for this project, but they still have to be done and they still take time and they still cost money,” Meixner said. “While those studies are being done and completed, the consultants, Carpenter and Marty, will start working on preliminary plans.”
The studies and plans play pivotal roles in the county’s ability to approach property owners near the scope of the project to discuss what is planned and how it may impact their land, he said.
“Once we get agreement to that, then we go to a phase that’s not a part of this (Thursday’s approved agreement) where we will be doing appraisals and making offers for land if that’s necessary,” Meixner said.
The estimated cost of the project is $3.2 million, Meixner said Thursday. About $2.3 million is estimated to come from construction. The remaining $900,000 comes from engineering and costs of studies.
The federal government and state of Ohio are funding 90 percent of project costs, Meixner said. Ashland County bears responsibility for the remaining 10 percent, around $320,000.
The county engineer previously told the board that the federal government has committed to cover 80 percent. The state’s 10-percent contribution will come from its highway safety funds.
He said the county plans to apply for Ohio Public Works Commission funding, likely next year, to cover the local 10-percent share of project costs.
The federal funding is not available until fiscal year 2029, which is calendar year July 2028, Meixner said. Money from the state is available to start spending now.
“We couldn’t start (construction) before that (July 2028),” he said.
