Columbus and Dublin have announced plans to combine projects to improve Hard Road. Property owners who may face eminent domain proceedings to acquire rights-of-way along Hard Road have reportedly been advised of the cities’ need for their property.
The City of Dublin had planned to make improvements at the intersection of Hard and Sawmill roads for some time. The planned improvements would consist of adding right and left turn lanes to the existing configuration on Sawmill Road. The planned improvements will coincide with plans by the City of Columbus to widen Hard Road.
The City of Columbus plans to widen Hard Road between Sawmill Road and Smokey Row to four lanes as “Phase A” of a three phase project. “Phase A” involves approximately 1.2 miles of Hard Road. This section of Hard Road has subdivisions, shops, apartments and condominiums as well as a branch of the Worthington Library. Planned improvements include curbs, sidewalks, street lighting, storm sewers and bike lanes.
The cost of the construction project is estimated at $15 million with right-of-way acquisition expected to cost nearly $2 million. Most of the funding will come from the Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission.
The project is currently in the design stage with construction expected to begin in the spring of 2015.
The rapid growth in population in the greater Columbus Ohio area and surrounding counties has resulted in major traffic congestion and the need to improve and widen many roadways. If you own property that a government agency intends to acquire, in part or in whole, for right-of-way purposes, you may contact the Ohio eminent domain lawyers at Clark, Perdue & List if you have questions about protecting your rights.