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Buckeye Valley residents warn of local costs from ODOTs Route 23 connector; board to send formal opposition
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Summary
Residents told the Buckeye Valley Board of Education that ODOTs Route 23 connector proposal ("bill 96") could close local routes and raise costs for school transportation and emergency services; the board agreed to draft and send a formal statement of opposition to ODOT and area legislators.
At a Buckeye Valley Board of Education meeting, longtime resident Connie Meyer told board members shed reviewed the "bill 96" feasibility plan and warned it would close diagonal and local routes near Route 23, forcing traffic onto township and county roads and increasing costs for school busing, emergency services and motorists.
"This is not one or the other. It's either both of them or neither one of them," Connie Meyer said, arguing that the plan would require more buses, staff and maintenance and lengthen travel times for residents.
Why it matters: Board members said the project could directly affect travel times, public-safety responses and property values for portions of Buckeye Valley that rely on local roads. In discussion, a board member said the district should formally voice opposition and share its concerns with state officials and ODOT so local impacts are considered.
A board member said the district would prepare a formal position to send to ODOT and to area legislators. "We can send this not only to ODOT as they continue with their study, but then also to the legislators who are working," the board member said, adding the board would notify local media as well.
The board did not take a formal vote on a resolution at the meeting; members described drafting language and routing the statement to lawmakers and ODOT for consideration. Next procedural steps described at the meeting included circulating the draft and sending it to legislators representing the district.
