On Feb. 23, a terrific article appeared The Blade, “U.S. 23 bypass more essential than ever.” The article extolled the virtues of a U.S. 23 bypass, rather than the recently released ODOT action plan. I couldn’t agree more.
As a resident of Delaware County and of the proposed affected area, I find ODOT’s solution not to the advantage of Delaware residents — especially if you live between I-270 and Waldo, Ohio. ODOT proposes the closure of intersections in our area and construction of overpasses with limited ability to cross to necessary services and complex gyrations to get into our town. U.S. 23 would become an expressway.
Their proposal also threatens historic structures and older homes and businesses in our historic neighborhood. The village of Stratford on the Whetstone has existed before the city of Delaware. We have many beautiful old homes, barns, a church, and a tavern/stage coach stop that have been here since the 1800s. The old stone church, which sits at U.S. 23 and State Rt. 315 is definitely threatened, as it stands in the path of ODOT’s plans. Other homes, while not on the historic register, are great old homes reflective of the vernacular architecture and would likely be sacrificed. Some of the homes and businesses would be taken by eminent domain! Other treasured places, such as the Stratford Ecological Center, stand to be affected as well — losing land to the ODOT project.
This area of Delaware is comprised of median-level homes and businesses that make up the fabric of normal life. We are not the swanky, bourgeois neighborhoods referenced in the article. We are proud, hard-working people trying to preserve our homes and livelihoods. We are proud of our heritage and want to protect our way of life and travel in our area.
For example, ODOT has proposed a bridge from State Rt. 315 over U.S. 23, pushing traffic onto our little township road. This would include semi tractor-trailers. ODOT estimates that 3,000 cars travel our road daily. With the implementation of their proposal 16,000 vehicles would be forced down our street!
Other neighbors would lose homes to the “grade changes,” i.e., bridges or underpasses, built to cross 23. Their plan is excessive and destructive at the least.
Therefore, the bypass is the better alternative. It seems logical that truck traffic and transient traffic would be reduced on U.S. 23 if the outer belt was available. Both safety and cost control would be enhanced by not going through with ODOT’s proposed multibillion-dollar plan.
Traffic from surrounding manufacturing areas, such as Toledo, would be able to jump on the bypass to reach their desired destinations with ease, safety, and efficiency. Columbus commerce would be better served by those businesses in Toledo and beyond having a more direct route, which would be achieved with the bypass.
The bypass would preserve our neighborhoods and easy access to our residential and commercial areas without the construction of overpasses, underpasses, access roads, and the exercise of eminent domain for homes and businesses. Not to mention protecting historic buildings, a scenic road, and a scenic river.
I think ODOT needs to revisit the idea of a U.S. 23 bypass, rather than forging ahead with an expensive, destructive plan that does not serve the people at large.
Why have a laser focus on our little area now?
The development has been allowed to happen with disregard for surrounding neighborhoods and the impact on the roads.
The bypass was proposed long ago — why no traction with it? The bypass seems to be a very viable solution to the issues of efficiency in travel, safety, and timely traffic movement.
I agree with the The Blade editorial — commercial traffic and transient traffic do not want to get bogged down by going through Delaware — take the outer-belt.
First Published March 15, 2025, 4:00 a.m.
