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State rep praises new 'Braden's Law,' asks commissioners to back hazardous-cargo designation on State Route 315
Summary
State Representative Brian Bridal Lorenz thanked local law enforcement for passage of Braden's Law and asked the Delaware County commissioners to consider a nonbinding resolution supporting designation of State Route 315 as a hazardous-cargo route to limit hazardous shipments through residential areas.
State Representative Brian Bridal Lorenz told the Delaware County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 27 that he is seeking local support for two initiatives: implementation assistance for a newly passed state statute called Braden's Law and a resolution asking state regulators to designate State Route 315 as a hazardous-cargo route.
Bridal Lorenz said the law, which he said “will take effect in April,” was a collaborative effort with county officials and local law enforcement to criminalize sextortion. He thanked Sheriff Jeff Balzer and Delaware County Prosecutor Schifel, saying, “I just really want to take a moment to thank Sheriff Balzer ... and Prosecutor Schifel for coming together and helping us out with that.”
The representative also described an ongoing, local campaign to reduce truck-related safety and environmental risks on SR 315, a state-owned road that runs near school bus stops and residential areas. Bridal Lorenz said he and Liberty Township Trustee Donaldson are seeking resolutions of support from local jurisdictions and that he expects to submit a consolidated package of concerns and supporting materials to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio; he added that the lieutenant governor makes the ultimate determination on such applications. “This is merely a resolution of support, more ceremonial than anything,” Bridal Lorenz said, stressing the measure would be nonbinding and carry no financial obligation for the county.
Why it matters: Commissioners heard that residents along SR 315 have expressed safety concerns — including narrow roadway geometry, multiple access points, and speed — and that a hazardous-cargo designation would prohibit routing of hazardous materials on that segment of SR 315, although it would not stop general truck traffic. Bridal Lorenz said the last similar designation work was done in 1994 and described the process as lengthy.
Sheriff Jeff Balzer, who spoke after Bridal Lorenz, said the sheriff's office supports safety efforts and wants to coordinate with ODOT and the county engineer. County Engineer Chris Bauserman declined to add details beyond noting he had heard Bridal Lorenz's presentation and that Bridal Lorenz had anticipated much of the engineer's remarks.
Bridal Lorenz said he hopes to have supporting resolutions ready for submission by March 1 and offered to provide sample language and to meet offline with county staff. Commissioners President Barb Lewis asked staff to coordinate with the county's emergency-management director, Alex McCarthy, on hazardous-accident planning. Bridal Lorenz said he had already been in contact with Liberty Township, the City of Powell and ODOT staff, including Tony Tarasco, and that he would provide the commissioners with sample language for their consideration.
The board did not take formal action on the request during the meeting; Bridal Lorenz asked that members review the sample resolution and said he would schedule follow-up meetings with county staff.
