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Franklin County signs roundabout contract and approves multiple road projects and property compensations
Summary
The Board approved a $3.97 million contract for a Walnut Street/New Albany roundabout and adopted numerous engineer resolutions to advance drainage, bridge inspections, utility relocations and corridor projects, including several negotiated compensations and initiation of appropriation proceedings where negotiations stalled.
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners approved several transportation and infrastructure measures on Sept. 16, 2025, including a $3,974,627.76 contract award to Shazer Paving Company Inc. for the Walnut Street at New Albany/Concord Road (State Route 605) roundabout project, with construction anticipated in spring 2026. County engineering staff said the project is a collaborative effort with New Albany, Plain Township and ODOT and aims to replace an offset stop‑controlled intersection with a modern roundabout.
The board also approved plan approval and bidding authorization for the Zuber Road/Plum Run drainage improvement project (Pleasant and Jackson townships) funded by the Ohio Public Works Commission and several contract modifications to address greater‑than‑anticipated bridge needs and utility relocation design. A contract modification for the Beach Road over Big Derby Creek bridge added $143,583 (revising that contract to $437,687.69) to secure additional construction inspection services after inspectors found the bridge in worse condition than expected.
Multiple resolutions advanced the Cook Road corridor project, approving negotiated compensations for dozens of parcels and, for parcels where negotiations failed, recommending initiation of appropriation proceedings (eminent domain) to keep the corridor on schedule. County engineers emphasized that compensations were based on appraised fair‑market value and that the prosecutors’ office would handle appropriation litigation where necessary.
Commissioners approved other traffic‑engineering changes recommended by the engineer’s office, including speed‑limit adjustments: reductions on portions of Hubbard Road and Rickenbacker Parkway West, and an increase on a segment of Alum Creek Drive to align posted limits with surrounding roadway sections.
The board voted unanimously on these infrastructure items after brief presentations and requests for approval from the engineer’s office. Several resolutions noted reimbursement arrangements (for example, utility reimbursements for certain design costs) and OPWC funding where applicable.
Next steps: engineer’s office to proceed to bidding and contract execution for awarded projects, coordinate with partner jurisdictions and ODOT, and continue negotiations or appropriation proceedings for unresolved right‑of‑way parcels.
