The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) invites public comments to a shared-used path along State Route 103 in the Hancock County portion of the Village of Bluffton. Construction is anticipated for 2023. The project has  previously been announced in several Bluffton council meetings.

Project summary
The village of Bluffton, in partnership with the Ohio Department of Transportation, is proposing to construct a shared-use path along state Route 103 (Jefferson Street) within the village of Bluffton.  

The proposed path will begin at County Line Road and travel eastward along state Route 103 (Jefferson Street) prior to tying into the existing Lions Way Trail shared-used path along Commerce Lane.  

A portion of the shared-use path will also be extended approximately 300 feet east of Commerce Lane along state Route 103/Jefferson Street. 

A concrete sidewalk extension will also be constructed on the north and south sides of state Route 103/Jefferson Street to provide pedestrian facilities to the additional commercial properties.

This project is in alliance with previous projects of Jefferson Street Phase 1 and Phase 2, which upgraded pedestrian facilities from Main Street to County Line Road and was investigated during a 2016 state Route 103 corridor study completed for the village. 

The project also supports the on-going efforts of the Bluffton Pathway Board, whose goal is to connect the village with a network of multi-use pathways.

Construction activities are not expected to result in any roadway closures or detours, although temporary lane restrictions may be required at times.  Access to all properties will be maintained throughout construction.

Construction is anticipated to begin in the summer of 2023.

Written comments regarding this project may be sent to: 
Ohio Department of Transportation District 1, 
Attn: Nate Tessler, 
1885 N. McCullough Street, Lima, Ohio 45801; 
or to [email protected].

Comments made about the project should identify it aS:  State Route 103/Jefferson Street Shared-Use Path (PID: 111220)