Interchange improvements under review in New Philadelphia

The Ohio Department of Transportation is asking Tuscarawas County residents to provide feedback on a number of proposed safety and traffic flow improvements to the I-77/U.S. route 250/state Route 39 interchange and the Bluebell Drive intersection in New Philadelphia.

A number of alternative proposals for construction were presented during an open house Dec. 2 at Buckeye Career Center. In lieu of a formal presentation, members of ODOT and several subcontractors led more than 90 visitors through exhibits depicting alternatives ways to improve the interchange by addressing traffic congestion points at nine key points.

Visitors were asked to fill out and submit a comment form and essentially vote for the proposed improvements they think provide the best solution. However, comments may also be submitted online. Those received by Jan. 2, 2026 will be incorporated into a final project proposal, which will be presented in March, 2026. However, comments will be accepted at any time and can be registered online.

“The important thing to keep in mind is that this is a proposal only,” said Lauren Borell, public information officer for ODOT District 11. “Once a final proposed design is finalized, we will begin the search for project funding.”

The need for improvements is no secret for drivers using the interchange in New Philadelphia area. A traffic study conducted by ODOT determined the interchange is one of the region’s busiest travel corridors.

According to New Philadelphia Mayor Joel Day, the interchange wasn’t originally designed to handle projected growth in the region—or even the growth already being experienced.

“There are times when West High Avenue can be backed up for that interchange almost to the downtown square,” said Day. “The growth of not only new Philadelphia, but this entire part of the county is affected by the traffic disruptions created by that interchange.”

Key points

The study is evaluating design alternatives for nine key locations to improve efficiencies and safety, some of which include:

— I-77 southbound off-ramp and relocated state Route 39.

— Intersection of I-77 southbound/U.S. Route 250 eastbound on-ramp, relocated state Route 39 and Stonecreek Road,

— Intersection of I-77 northbound on/off-ramp and state Route 39.

— State Route 39 east of the Tuscarawas River bridge.

— U.S. Route 250 westbound to I-77 southbound system ramp.

— I-77 northbound to U.S. Route 250 eastbound system ramp.

Documents online will allow the public to view all of these points and evaluate alternative plans for addressing each.

A roundabout at Bluebell?

The proposal includes a potential roundabout at the intersection of West High Avenue and Bluebell Drive. And while traffic circles may not be the most popular solution among the public, research conducted by the Federal Highway Administration shows that, when a roundabout replaces a traffic signal it reduces car accidents by 48% while reducing serious injury and deadly crashed by nearly 80%.

The same research also states that while as few as 30% of drivers support changing to roundabouts before construction, more than a year after construction, 70% support the change.

Safety is, after all, the number one priority for ODOT, according to Borell, but driver safety can be impacted by growth.

“We all want to see economic growth continue in the county,” said Borell, “and these alternative proposals are designed to handle that growth.

Day attributes a major reason for local economic growth to the skilled workforce Tuscarawas County offers.

“We have great resources and assets and a highly skilled workforce, something a lot of employers are looking for,” he said. “And while the interstate runs right through the middle of Tuscarawas County, we also have major state routes and U.S. routes connecting here. We’re at a crossroads for a lot of transportation routes, so we need to make these improvements.”

Visit online

All proposal alternatives and a feedback form, can be found at https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/projects/projects/122790. After viewing the proposal, comments may also be made by telephone at 330-308-7875 or by sending email to Dan.Lorenz@dot-ohio.gov.