Canal Winchester approves agreement to assume maintenance of segment of Hill Road; staff plans larger corridor upgrade

Canal Winchester City Council on June 15 adopted a resolution authorizing the mayor to sign a roadway maintenance agreement with Fairfield County that would move maintenance responsibility for about 2,100 feet of Hill Road into the city's jurisdiction and allow coordinated corridor improvements.

Development director Lucas Hair told council the annexation pattern left the road's centerline in county control, complicating permitting and standards for new development. The agreement would let the city take over surface maintenance (snow removal, salt, permitting for drive cuts) for the identified segment and pursue a larger corridor project that could widen roughly 3,100 feet of Hill Road to a three-lane section with shoulders and an 8-foot pedestrian path on the west side.

Staff said the corridor upgrade would likely be funded through a mix of developer in-lieu fees, a joint application for Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) funds with the county, and contributions from partners. Mr. Hair described three project-option cost ranges discussed in preliminary engineering: an option estimated at about $3.5 million, a larger option in the $4 million range, and a full-build concept of roughly $5—2$6.5 million; staff said Canal Winchester's direct out-of-pocket share in one scenario could be around $400,000 plus private contributions and partnering matches.

Council asked about contingency if OPWC funding is not secured; staff said the scope would be scaled down to immediate turn-lane and widening needs tied to active development and that the city would still collect developer fees to fund phased improvements. Staff also noted the agreement contains a termination clause allowing the county to end the agreement at its discretion; the city's answer was that termination would revert maintenance to the county and could slow development coordination.

The council recorded a roll-call vote to adopt the resolution (Resolution 26-028); the motion carried with an affirmative vote from the sponsor and a second, and the item moved to full council for adoption later in the evening where the resolution was adopted by roll call.

What happens next: Staff said preliminary engineering and right-of-way assessments with consultant MH&T are underway to refine scope and cost estimates; the city will proceed with OPWC application planning and negotiations with Fairfield County and developers about contribution levels.

Speakers quoted: Lucas Hair (development director) and Mr. Peoples (city administrator).