Sawmill
Parkway Extension - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Study Corridor FAQ - click on this link
General FAQ
This study is the next step in meeting Delaware County’s transportation needs as identified in the Thoroughfare Plan and various comprehensive plans. As many remember, there has been much discussion for more than a decade about a Sawmill Parkway Extension. This study is to determine where such an extension would best serve the residents of Delaware County.
There are many, many factors that go into planning the parkway location. The selection of the location and the character of the parkway will consider:
- Public input
- Existing Townships and City land-use plans
- Benefits to citizens at the best cost
- Least disruption to residents
- Utility to motorists and residents
- Environmental issues
- Safety improvements
We expect to have an alignment selected by this time next year.
The best estimate is that construction would start no earlier than 2008 and the road completed about 18 months after it begins. The time between selection of an alignment and final construction is spent designing the specifics of the road, negotiating for land purchases as necessary, making sure funding for construction is in place and being sure we meet all governmental guidelines for such projects.
It is extremely important that we receive input from a diverse cross-section of Delaware County residents. We need to know the needs and concerns of residents across the county before proceeding with such an important project.
It is anticipated that the construction would be paid for primarily with county funds that are collected through the current dedicated road and bridge sales tax. At the far northern section of the Extension and at the far southern section of the Extension it may be possible to have private financial assistance if rezoning can be accomplished through Liberty Township and the City of Delaware. However, it is not anticipated that developer dollars will be used for other sections. It is too early to determine the total cost of the project since actual construction is several years away.
The County Engineer’s Office will make the final determination regarding the eventual path of the road. That decision will be made based upon significant input from county residents, other elected officials and community leaders.
No. It is obvious to all of us that we are living in a fast-growing county. However, the highest priority for the County Engineer’s Office is to provide and maintain a highway system that meets the needs of the residents. That is why we are spending a significant amount of time in this study reaching out to residents and listening to their needs and concerns. The Sawmill Parkway Extension (SPE) will move forward only after we have determined what is in the best interests of the county residents, not the private developers.
The purpose of the Stakeholder Group – as well as our Advisory Council – is to help guide us as we gather and process information from the public. Many diverse interests are represented on the Stakeholder Group – that is part of its purpose. Also, this development company also happens to represent the owners of property in the study area and thus appropriately has an interest in what is eventually decided.
No. Their advice and counsel will be extremely valuable as we move forward. However, the final decision rests with the County Engineer.
Other elected officials are participating in the process to broaden the scope of information being evaluated and to avoid any conflicts or duplication of planning efforts. We are pleased that the affected communities have representatives on our committees. The vast majority of elected officials have been very supportive, but we understand that it is the County Engineer’s responsibility to take the lead on this project and we are happy to do so.
Every thoroughfare plan and comprehensive plan since 1988 has included a Sawmill Parkway Extension as necessary to the future transportation needs of the county. Continuing to delay a decision about SPE potentially means more people will be impacted by construction, the costs would likely increase and the identified needs of the community would be unmet.
We will be taking a close look at all of the roads within the study area and will have traffic information that residents will find useful as they consider the project. However, one can easily see that some areas of the county – Liberty Road, for example -- have already experienced considerable construction. Therefore, widening such roads would dislocate many people and significantly increase costs.
It is far too early in the project to know how much private property will be necessary to build the parkway. Once we know a piece of property might be needed, we will enter into negotiations to buy it at a fair market price. It’s important to note that the Engineer’s Office rarely has to go to court to obtain a piece of property. Almost all transactions are concluded satisfactorily through negotiations.
We will be having public Open Houses and they are excellent sources for receiving information and having questions answered. We will also be sending information through the mail to the property owners in the study area. Perhaps the best source for up-to-date information is our website – www.sawmillparkway.org.
The County Engineer’s Office has identified two key projects from the Thoroughfare Plan as warranting thorough and immediate evaluation – the Big Walnut Road interchange at Interstate 71 and the Sawmill Parkway Extension.
One of the goals of this study is to seek public input to help determine that. We’ve heard many people express concerns about the look, and more importantly possible safety problems, with the existing Sawmill Parkway. That is the kind of input we are seeking as we consider the extension project.
No. Although the Thoroughfare Plan and area comprehensive plans have called for a Sawmill Parkway Extension, the SPE is a separate item from an East-West highway. This study will look at the need for SPE as it relates to the current transportation system in the county.
The precise point of where the road will connect with an existing roadway has not been determined. This study will help determine that. The most likely end point is at or north of Route 42. It is also worth noting that the project could be built in phases.