North Ridgeville Receives State Funding

At the July 7, 2025 Council meeting, Mayor Kevin Corcoran shared news recently received from the state. Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Pamela Boratyn announced on July 2 the approval of $137.5 million in funding for 55 traffic safety projects across 41 Ohio counties. North Ridgeville is proud to be among the communities selected to receive grant dollars aimed at improving roadway safety.

As one of only three Lorain County municipalities awarded funding, and one of just 26 statewide roundabout projects, North Ridgeville will receive $700,000 through the Ohio Highway Safety Improvement Program to construct a new roundabout at the intersection of Bainbridge Rd. and Root Rd.

In 2024 the city commissioned a formal traffic study of the intersection, which has seen a steady increase in crash activity. Between 2021 and 2023, there were 14 reported crashes and in 2024, both the crash and injury rates increased significantly. Based on these findings, the study recommended a compact, single-lane roundabout designed to accommodate high volumes of turning traffic, address poor intersection geometry and safely manage large vehicles such as school buses and fire trucks. In early 2025, Council authorized the safety application submittal to ODOT.

“Roundabouts are proven to reduce both the frequency and severity of crashes, especially in high-conflict intersections like this one,” said Mayor Kevin Corcoran. “We’re grateful to Governor DeWine and ODOT for recognizing the need for continued investment in communities like North Ridgeville. This project will not only improve safety, it will also enhance traffic flow for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, school buses and emergency responders. We’re pleased to bring these improvements to our residents.”

The roundabout is part of a broader statewide strategy to reduce crashes caused by unsafe intersections. While construction of a new traffic pattern can raise questions, roundabouts have been shown to reduce serious injury crashes by as much as 80% and improve efficiency by reducing stop-and-go delays.

“These targeted, data-driven investments not only improve safety for local communities but strengthen the transportation system across Ohio,” said ODOT Director Pamela Boratyn. “With the largest highway safety program per capita in the nation, we’re seeing real results. Traffic deaths have been declining since 2021.”

For more information about Ohio’s Highway Safety Improvement Program, visit transportation.ohio.gov.

While construction is still several years away, this funding marks an exciting step forward in our long-term infrastructure planning. Stay tuned-we’ll keep you updated as the project progresses.