Downtown Split Plan Could Impact Area Parks

[dateline] -- The downtown split of Interstate 70 and Interstate 71 is one of the most dangerous roads in Central Ohio.

On average, there are three accidents in that area each day -- totaling nearly 1,200 crashes every year.

A $1 billion road project aims at decreasing crashes in the area, but with a shrinking state and city budget, will the road project move forward as planned?

The Ohio Department of Transportation scheduled a question and answer session at Dodge Park Recreation Center on Tuesday night.

At the meeting, ODOT officials said they want to hear from the public about the changes that would be made to two area parks near the I-70/I-71 split under the road project.

ODOT said it will need to take parts of Dodge Park and the Whittier Peninsula to change ramps near the I-70/I-71/S.R. 315 merge. However, the department said it will add land back to the park after construction.

The project isn't slated to begin until 2012 and despite state budget woes, ODOT said project plans are still moving forward.

For residents who were unable to attend the meeting, questions and comments can be sent via e-mail to .

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