Rt. 256 grant, indoor sports complex among '11 highlights - Other Community News - Ohioans for Responsible Rural Development

Pickerington Times-Sun
Published December 13, 2011

By Janet Thiede

In 2011, the city of Pickerington celebrated its good fortune in obtaining one of its largest grants as well as other steps forward in the area of economic development.

Here is a brief recap of the top stories of the year:

ODOT 256 grant

Oct. 31, the Ohio Department of Transportation awarded the city a $5 million Safety Grant to make improvements on state Route 256 from Interstate 70 to Refugee Road -- one of the highest non-interstate crash locations in Ohio.

Funds from the state and the city will be used to extend the third southbound lane from Hunter's Run/Marcus Cinemas to Refugee Road; add a third northbound lane at state Route 204; add a fourth northbound lane at the I-70 eastbound entrance ramp; resurface state Route 256; convert traffic signals to color coordinated mast arm signals with black plates, large street name signs and street lighting; and add center landscape medians, where possible.

Every day, approximately 35,000 vehicles travel the north-south corridor of state Route 256.

Construction on the project might begin as early as 2014.

Indoor sports complex

The way was also paved this year for the construction of a $4 million Pickerington sports complex for indoor recreational soccer.

Pickerington City Council approved the 115,000-square-foot complex, which will be built in phases just off Refugee Road and behind Big Lots.

When all of the phases are completed, the facility is expected to house four artificial turf fields, a pro shop with sports apparel and equipment, general office space and a restaurant.

Read the full story on the Pickerington Times-Sun website.