ODOT planning major project on Ronald Reagan Highway at I-71 interchange

MONTGOMERY, Ohio - The spot in the road where Interstate 71 and the Ronald Reagan Highway come together has grown to become a dangerous place for drivers.

Thirteen crashes over a three year period has forced the Ohio Department of Transportation to make some changes to Ronald Reagan Highway at the I-71 interchange.

Currently, drivers getting off at Ronald Reagan on I-71 who want to travel east have to come to a complete stop at the end of the exit, cross the westbound lane of Ronald Reagan and stop at the middle median to head east. ODOT hopes to build a concrete median between the two eastbound lanes on Ronald Reagan to help funnel traffic towards Montgomery Road. ODOT then hopes to build a traffic light at the end of the I-71 south exit ramp to Ronald Reagan.

These changes would ultimately make this section of road much safer for drivers and help control the increase in traffic the city has seen over the years, according to ODOT officials.

ODOT plans to hire an engineering firm to develop plans and determine if the project is actually feasible. If approved, the project will cost around $5.3 million.

Construction is estimated to begin in the spring of 2015 and ultimately last two construction seasons