Council gives consent for ODOT-funded Washington Street safety redesign — project to reduce lanes, add buffered bike lanes and a roundabout

The council approved city consent on June 10 for an Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Target Speed pilot project to redesign Washington Street between 17th Street and Summit, converting the existing configuration to a three‑lane cross section, adding buffered bike lanes, and installing a roundabout at Indiana/Washington/11th.

Project scope and funding City staff said ODOT will fund the design and construction up to a maximum of $5,260,000. The scope includes lane reduction (from a 4–5 lane configuration to three lanes), buffered bike lanes on both sides and a roundabout at Indiana, Washington and 11th. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027; the consultant will attempt to keep costs within the ODOT cap and any costs above that amount would be paid from the city’s match and planning funds.

Why council members supported it Several council members praised the safety emphasis and downtown livability benefits, noting prior restriping projects (Erie and Michigan) and the Warehouse District’s advocacy for changes on Washington. Council members asked about community engagement and whether the “pilot” language referred to a temporary test; staff clarified the Target Speed program is a state pilot but the Washington Street project itself will be a permanent reconstruction. Staff also said the state-provied pilot funds were competitive and Toledo was among the limited recipients of the full award amount.

Technical details and follow-up For design purposes the buffered bike lanes are currently planned as painted buffers; council members raised the possibility of adding physical delineators or flex posts and discussed pedestrian improvements, including a scramble crosswalk at Washington and Huron. The administration said it will pursue community engagement during design and that the council will be updated as the detailed design and construction schedule progress.

Direct quote “The state of Ohio has come with $25,000,000 for the entire state, and they asked the different district offices to submit projects for a new pilot program called Target Speed…we were one of the three recipients,” said Christie Sondcrant, commissioner of engineering and construction management.

Next steps Design by the selected consultant will proceed with the goal of staying within the $5.26 million ODOT cap, staff will schedule community engagement and council expects further design presentations before construction begins in 2027.