Norwich trustees back Safe Routes to Schools grant application for Darbyshire Drive and Cameron Road

The Norwich Township Board of Trustees voted March 3 to approve applying for a Safe Routes to Schools grant and to provide a letter of support for improvements at Darbyshire Drive and Cameron Road.

Ronni Nimps of the Franklin County Engineers' Office provided an overview of the grant, explaining that requests are commonly $500,000 but can reach $1,000,000. She said the grant is administered through the Ohio Department of Transportation and that award decisions typically come in the summer; if funded the project was described in the meeting as likely to start in 2029. Trustees discussed this as a phased effort: short-term actions to improve crossings now and a longer-term sidewalk or infrastructure plan tied to the new school and future phases.

Trustee Brian Rothenberg raised pedestrian-safety concerns about children crossing and suggested the township take advantage of the county-hosted process; Chair Kelli Arthur Hykes noted the community and county will coordinate further and scheduled an informal meeting with the Franklin County Engineers, the roads department and public-safety partners for March 13, 2026, including Zoom access. An audience member asked about timing and whether adjacent neighborhoods could be added to future phases; trustees said initial applications should “get their foot in the door” and that later phases could be evaluated.

The vote to apply for the grant and provide a letter of support passed with the recorded vote of Trustee seat vacant, Hykes—Yes, Rothenberg—Yes.