In an effort to increase road safety, a new Reduced Collision U-Turn (RCUT) project is set to kick off on May 27 at an intersection in Athens County, targeting U.S. 50 at Coolville. The strategy behind the RCUT is to eliminate the option for drivers to turn left or go straight from County Road 56 onto U.S. 50. Instead, motorists will be directed to make a right turn followed by a legal U-turn at a designated crossover point.
This construction approach comes on the heels of concerning accident statistics; between 2019 and 2023, this junction has been the site of 18 crashes, predominantly due to vehicles attempting left turns or crossing. RCUTs are not only designed to streamline traffic flow but also substantially reduce conflict points by up to 50 percent, which can lead to fewer opportunities for collisions and typically, less severe accidents when they do occur, per the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
With lane closures set to begin on U.S. 50 for the first phase of the project, motorists should plan for potential delays starting on May 27. The Ohio Department of Transportation will provide ongoing updates on traffic conditions and construction progress through the OHGO platform. The project's anticipated wrap-up is in October, promising several months of work in the area.
For those who want to learn more about the RCUT project and its impact on road safety, instructional content, including a video, is available here. Local drivers are advised to keep abreast of project updates and educate themselves on the new traffic patterns that will soon be a staple of their daily commutes through Coolville.
