Far Northwest Coalition

The Snouffer Road Railroad crossing could be reconstructed any time in the next year (up to Summer 2000). Does it make sense to delay this until the Hard Road Railroad crossing is completed and I-270 and the Sawmill Interchange ??? Does it also make sense to pool Franklin County and Columbus resources to do an underpass as specified in the Northwest Plan passed by Columbus City Council in 1991? Plans call for merely reducing the slope of the at grade crossing, adding a turn lane and improving the pedestrian crossing in the area. Is this worth up to 120 days of aggrevation for the far northwest community given the amount of construction in the area to later include (Late 99) Billingsley / Smoky Row intersection upgrade ???

By JOHN BEST

Snouffer Road railroad construct

As a resident of Brookside Woods and with children in the Worthington schools, I travel Snouffer often. I am strongly opposed to closing this crossing when construction is going on in so many other places in the northwest area. No amount of lane widening will improve the heavy traffic when cars are forced to cross railroad tracks. Unfortunately the Morse-Bethel connector was not built 30 years ago,which would have eliminated some of the Rt. 161 congestion. Snouffer Rd. also takes some of the burden of I-270 construction. We cannot have every major road torn up or closed at the same time. Either put a underpass at the tracks or save the taxpayers'money. This city needs to think ahead and plan accordingly. We cannot build and build and then wonder what to do with all the traffic. It is irresponsible to the city's residents. The grade of the incline is not worthy of a four month closing of the Snouffer railroad tracks.

Do it right!

John, so glad to read your letter in paper today. I have been a resident of Snouffer Rd. area for 24 years. There is no question that the county is aware of the tremendous increase in traffic on Snouffer Road that now makes travel unsafe as well as frustrating for drivers in this area. I am appalled that a department utilizing taxpayers' money would have the nerve to develop a plan of "improvement" for Snouffer Road and omit a TUNNEL or OVERPASS. I stronly support the FNWC's oposition to the County's irresponsible plan for "reducing an incline".

By Jane Lamp

Snouffer Rd RR Construction

Jane, Thanks for your response. Hope to see you if possible at our meeting on June 30 at the NW Library with this agenda item being at approx 8 P.M.!!! As a long time resident, your testimony would be valuable. COTA's strategic plan for Central Ohio and for our area will be at 7:30 P.M. We discuss new and old business beginning at 7 PM

By John Best