HOWLAND — With another fatal traffic accident at the intersection of Howland Wilson Road and state Route 82 over the weekend, township officials want the Ohio Department of Transportation to make the heavy traffic location safer.

ODOT has been taking public comments from officials and residents on plans to remove the left turning lanes, crossing lane and the traffic light at the intersection.

Proposed plans for the $1 million project are restricting access to the Route 82 and Howland Wilson Road intersection by eliminating left-turn movements from eastbound and westbound Route 82. Additionally, the project proposes removing the existing traffic signal and cul-de-sac northbound and southbound Howland Wilson Road while still maintaining access for vehicles turning right onto Howland Wilson Road from either direction.

At least one lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained at all times. Construction is expected to begin in May 2025 and last approximately seven months.

Trustee Chairman Rick Clark said at Wednesday’s trustees meeting that Saturday’s fatal accident, as well as others that have occurred at the location, will have an influence on state officials to move forward with project plans.

Resident Bruce Gump of Springwood Trace SE, which is south of the intersection off Howland Springs Road, said he is concerned that traffic will begin taking different routes along Howland Springs Road to get on and off Route 82 when the intersection changes.

“Changing that intersection will put a significant amount of more traffic on Route 46 and more accidents,” Gump said.

He suggested looking at ways to control more traffic coming off Route 82 onto Route 46 and also addressing the increased traffic from Route 46 onto Howland Springs.

Gump said he spoke to ODOT officials about extending the entrance ramp on Route 46 to align with the exit ramp on Howland Wilson Road in the event emergency vehicles need to get into that intersection quickly and not have to merge onto Route 82.

“I really feel it will be necessary to have a safe way to enter and exit on Route 46 at Howland Springs Road. The school buses go up there with the steep turns. It’s going to get worse and worse as traffic increases there,” Gump said.

Clark said the state has not finalized plans yet. According to ODOT’s website, the comment period ended Friday.

Gump said he also sees more traffic on Stillwagon Road and Mines Road.

Officials said they know how difficult it is to make a left-hand turn on busy roads such as onto state Route 46 but with a traffic light, when people get off state Route 82, they can move traffic though the intersection. Clark said it is nearly impossible to turn left off Howland Springs onto Route 46.

Gump said it is very difficult because so much traffic is heading to and from the Eastwood Mall. He said in winter months, going up and down the hilly Howland Springs off Route 46 is very dangerous.

Police Chief Nick Roberts said he has sat at several of the intersections trying to make a left turn onto Route 46 and has waited five or more minutes.

“In the wintertime when roads are bad, vehicles slide right out into the intersection onto Route 46. It is hard to make a right-hand turn when someone is trying to make a left-hand turn there,” Roberts said, noting issues at other intersections also need to be addressed.

He said some people try to get onto state Route 46 and get in the middle lane and then try to merge into the right lane, which also is hazardous.

Fire Chief James Pantalone said the Howland Springs hill is steep and always has been a problem, and a traffic light there may help in slowing down traffic.

“Making changes at Howland Wilson and 82 is needed and will help save lives,” he said.

Township Administrator Darlene St. George said when there is data to back up that an intersection is dangerous, changes are necessary.

“It is almost impossible anywhere in Howland to make a left-hand turn without a traffic light. It is dangerous to pull out to go left. People are in a hurry and don’t always pay attention,” St. George said.

Trustee Jim LaPolla said officials can look at the deviations of traffic onto Howland Springs and other streets.