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111 N. Front Street
Columbus, OH 43215
Office :  (614) 645-3111
Fax :  (614) 645-7805
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(614) 645-3111

NEWS RELEASE
News Date: June 11, 2015

Construction of Final Phase of Hard Road Improvements To Start on Monday

Construction of the final phase of roadway improvements on Hard Road, Phase A, between Sawmill Road and Smoky Row Road and the Hard Road and Sawmill Road Intersection Improvements is scheduled to begin on Monday, June 15, 2015, weather permitting. 

The project will reconstruct and widen 1.2 miles of Hard Road from two lanes to five lanes between Sawmill Road and Smoky Row Road.  In addition, the project will add:

  • Curbs and sidewalks on both sides of Hard Road where none currently exist
  • Bike lanes on both sides of Hard Road where none currently exist
  • A traffic signal at the intersection of Hard Road and Foxboro Lane at the Northwest Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library
  • Improvements to the intersection of Hard Road and Sawmill Road, including:
  • The widening of all four legs of the intersection to allow for the addition of:
  • Dual left turn lanes to dual through lanes on three legs of the intersection:  From northbound Sawmill Road onto westbound Hard Road; from southbound Sawmill Road onto eastbound Hard Road; and from westbound Hard Road onto southbound Sawmill Road
  • Dedicated right turn only lanes on three of the four legs of the intersection:  On northbound Sawmill Road to eastbound Hard Road; on southbound Sawmill Road to westbound Hard Road; and on westbound Hard Road to northbound Sawmill Road   
  • Upgraded traffic signals on mast arms at the intersection
  • New street lights
  • New storm sewers
  • New water lines
  • Landscaping

The project will increase safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists, and will accommodate residential and business growth in the area. 

Two-way traffic in two lanes will be maintained during construction of the project which is scheduled for completion in October 2016, weather permitting.

The $16.5 million project is a collaboration between the City of Columbus, the City of Dublin, the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission.  The project will be funded by the following sources:

  • Federal funding (MORPC):  $10 million
  • Ohio Public Works Commission:  $1.79 million
  • City of Dublin:  $2.7 million
  • City of Columbus:  $2 million

 The previous two phases of the Hard Road project included:

  • Phase B:  Between Smoky Row Road and Linworth Road, completed in the fall of 2005.
  • Project included the following:
  • Reconstructed and widened Hard Road from two to five lanes, including a center turn lan
  • Added sidewalks, curbs and gutters on both sides of the street
  • Added bike lanes in both directions
  • Added street lights
  • Upgraded storm sewers
  • Eliminated street level CSX railroad crossing east of Smoky Row Road
  • Total cost:  $10.7 million

 Phase C:   Between S.R. 315 and Linworth Road, and the section of Olentangy River Road connecting Hard Road and S.R.315, completed in October 2010.

  • The  project was a partnership between the City of Columbus and the Ohio Department of Transportation
  • Project included the following:
  • Reconstructed and widened Hard Road from two to five lanes, including a center turn lane
  • Added sidewalks, curbs and gutters on both sides of the street
  • Added bike lanes in both directions
  • Added street lights
  • Upgraded storm sewers
  • Total cost:  $10 million