ABOVE) Aerial and street level images from March 2025 on Google Maps.

By Paula Pyzik Scott

The intersection of State Route 81 and County Road 15, which is located 2.5 miles west of the Village of Ada, has been identified as an upcoming ODOT Intersection Safety Project slated for the year 2030.

ODOT has been designated as the project sponsor for construction of a roundabout with funding of $4.55M. According to a July 3 media release for the State of Ohio, the Highway Safety Improvement Program addresses road locations with a history of fatal or injury crashes where other safety improvements have not been effective.

Cheri Newton, public information officer for ODOT District 1, provided the following crash data for a three-year period from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2024:

• A total of 9 crashes occurred at this intersection. This is an average of 3 crashes per year. 
• Of the 9 crashes, 1 was coded as a fatal crash, 4 were coded as injury crashes, and 4 were coded as property damage only crashes. 
• These 9 crashes resulted in a 56% injury rate. The most prominent crash type at this intersection was angle (100%). The angle crashes were a result of drivers failing to yield or stop at the stop approaches. 
• Of the 9 angle crashes, 5 involved drivers failing to stop for the posted stop signs.

The intersection and its approaches have oversight by Allen County, Hardin County and ODOT District 1, according to Brion Rhodes Allen County Engineer. Updated non-text signage to the north and south of the intersection warning drivers of a stop sign ahead have recently been installed by both Allen County and Hardin County, according to Rhodes.

SIMILAR PROJECTS
In August 2025 ODOT will be constructing a roundabout at State Route 81 and Thayer Rd. Project information is available at www.transportation.ohio.gov/projects/projects/117742/

ODOT PDP Phases & Paths shows that project development includes preliminary planning and engineering, environmental review, right of way acquisition and construction.