PRESS RELEASE: Southwest Carroll County receives ODOT Active Transportation Plan Assistance
Leesville, OH – The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has announced the successful procurement of Active Transportation Plan (ATP) Assistance for multiple communities in Southwest Carroll County who are working in collaboration with Tuscarawas County and Harrison County.
The awarded project-area includes three townships in southwestern Carroll County – Orange, Monroe, and Perry; the incorporated Villages of Leesville, Sherrodsville, and Dellroy; the Village of Bowerston (Harrison County); and portions of Warren and Union Townships in Tuscarawas County.
“The Active Transportation Plan (ATP) Assistance program addresses the needs of walkers and bikers while helping build local, regional, and state-level capacity to ensure that walking and biking are safe, comfortable, and convenient transportation options,” explained Ben Turin, OMEGA’s Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO) program manager. “The impacted area of Carroll County is home to several active transportation projects and concepts, which when unified into a single active transportation plan will help the region to pursue funding opportunities.”
Among the potential projects being considered for inclusion in the final plan are:
- The connection of the Conotton Creek Trail in Bowerston to the forthcoming trail between Roswell and New Philadelphia; which would ultimately connect to the Ohio & Erie Towpath Trail
- Sidewalk networks and pedestrian safety in the villages
- A multi-use path connecting Leesville and Sherrodsville to the Conotton Valley High School campus
- Walking paths at Ohio FFA Camp Muskingum and neighboring Camp Aldersgate
- Encircling Atwood Lake with bikeways with Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District involvement
- Active transportation connection to Leesville Lake
- A multi-use trail from Dellroy to Carrollton
“I am extremely humbled to be able to lead the transportation plan for the southwest region of Carroll County. With our efforts, we are hoping to improve transportation and travel to all of the bordering towns for pedestrians and cyclists. The Conotton Trail has become a destination for many families in our area, as well as those from surrounding cities”, Mayor Mara Malterer said, “By expanding our trails and connecting the neighboring communities, we are not only encouraging more people to come to our area for recreation; but also promoting recreation in general. The opportunity to utilize our home for fitness and physical activity, rather than traveling to do so will be transformational for our community. We can easily travel to area towns and our amazing community center safely and feel healthier doing it!”
“OMEGA is proud to have assisted with this successful application, as we value our region and their visions for safe travel and community development,” Turin concluded. “We are also grateful to ODOT and our partnership with them.”
# # #
