Photo Provided This photograph, taken in the summer and shared on Facebook, shows the Main Street islands in front of the Monroe County Courthouse in Woodsfield. The Ohio Department of Transportation island removal project is set to get underway in March 2021; however, ODOT will now consider its impact on nearby historic properties prior to the construction.

WOODSFIELD — The Ohio Department of Transportation will consider the effects of removing the historic Main Street traffic islands in the village prior to moving forward with the planned removal project.

Early this year, ODOT made the decision to remove the islands situated along the intersection of Ohio 26 and Ohio 78 in Woodsfield. Transportation officials had determined it was the best course of action to improve traffic flow and maintain motorist and pedestrian safety within the community.

However, the estimated $900,000 project has caused concern among local residents due to the islands’ historic location and the beauty they bring to the downtown area. An online petition to stop the removal of the islands on Change.org has garnered more than 1,000 signatures from residents.

Ashley Rittenhouse, public information officer for ODOT District 10, said many residents also voiced concerns on the project’s page. They expressed that the islands have historical significance, which is what made ODOT investigate the matter further.

“Some people had mentioned the historical nature of the islands and of Woodsfield, so now we’re working with our environmental office and the state historical preservation office while they’re investigating it,” she said.

Rittenhouse said the Ohio’s National Historic Preservation office has determined that adjacent properties are listed on or and eligible for placement on the National Register of Historic Places. Therefore, ODOT officials must consider the project’s effects on the area.

“That includes the (Monroe County) courthouse, Monroe Bank and the Monroe Theatre, and so this section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 requires us to consider the effects of the project on historic property,” she said.

In response to the requirement, ODOT has posted applications on its website in order for residents or organizations interested in the effects of the undertaking on the historic property to become a consulting party for the project. Anyone interested in becoming a consulting party may do so by clicking on the link on ODOT’s website, transportation.ohio.gov.

“At this point, this is the step that we’re at is accepting these applications to become a consulting party, and we are working with the state historic preservation office to establish next steps,” Rittenhouse said. “We’re taking it one step at a time to determine where to go from here.”

Rittenhouse said the applications have also been sent to the Monroe County Board of Commissioners, the Monroe County Historical Society, Monroe County Arts Council and Woodsfield Village Council.

As of now, the project is set to get underway in March 2021. Rittenhouse said the project includes much more than just removing the islands — it also includes increasing the sidewalk bump outs on street corners, the replacement of traffic signals at three intersections and pedestrian signal heads with push buttons being added.

“When the project is completed, each of these intersections will have new equipment that will operate independently of each other. This will improve reliability since each signal will have its own controller. The new equipment will allow the signals to be actuated and only serve the side streets when a car is present. This will reduce the time drivers wait at the signals,” she said.

Additionally, the curb ramps at the intersections will be updated to current Americans with Disability Act standards, she said.

“With the intersection being at the center of the community, the improvements are being designed in a way that is sensitive to the intersection’s surroundings. The signal poles and arms will have black powder coating instead of plain galvanizing, the curb bump out areas will provide the community an opportunity to have customized landscaping planting areas instead of all concrete from curb to building faces,” she said.

Rittenhouse said the construction and removal, if it proceeds as planned, will be a 180-day project with a completion date set for Sept. 30, 2021.