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Officials to add portions of National Road to maps

T-L Photos/CARRI GRAHAM John Marshall and Barb Ballint, both board members of the Ohio National Road Association, pose for a photo following Tuesday’s board meeting. The board meets quarterly and works to preserve and protect National Road.

MORRISTOWN — A consultant for the Ohio Department of Transportation is working to identify roads that are a part of the historic National Road but do not appear on the state’s Transportation Information Mapping System.

Gabe Hays, consultant for the Ohio Department of Transportation Scenic Byways Program, said they are working on an audit of the scenic byways to ensure the official map’s program is accurate. He said he has been working the past year to identify areas that may need added to the system. Through the audit, he has found around 45 roadways in the state that do not appear on the mapping system.

“There are several spots from Blaine clear out toward Springfield on Ohio’s portion of National Road that aren’t what I think they should be, so as a group we’re just going to go through those and make sure the lines on the map that some visitors may see in the future will be accurate,” Hays said.

Hays met with the Ohio National Road Association on Tuesday to receive input on the areas and roads he has discovered that may need to be added to the mapping system.

“In looking at the ODOT TIMS map … I noticed that there were some areas of National Road that were not coming up like they should,” he said. “… I’d like to get your feedback. I just need to know the ones you think are not appropriate so they can be adjusted on the map.”

Hays then gave a presentation in which he pointed out all 45 areas he is proposing be added to TIMS. The first area he mentioned is in Blaine.

“In Blaine there is a bypass of the old road that goes down to the bridge — that has not been identified as a section. There is also a brick section coming all the way up the hill. … So I’m suggesting that it be part of the National Road so people that might look at this will know it’s there,” he said.

There is also an area near Kirke’s Homemade Ice Cream on Rehm Road in St. Clairsville that does not appear on the map system, he said.

Members of the board agreed with Hays’ suggestions. The suggestions will now be submitted to ODOT.

John S. Marshall, a board member of the ONRA, said updating the mapping will not only help tourists exploring the area but will also allow for additional funding opportunities for future projects.

In other matters, Barb Ballint, director of the Belmont County Tourism Council and board member of the ONRA, spoke about the rededication ceremony of mile marker No. 141 that was held earlier this month in front of the Belmont County Courthouse.

She said it had a “fantastic turnout” with around 100 people in attendance.

Ballint said there was a small issue with the marker, as it was engraved incorrectly. The directions on the marker, east to west, were engraved backward, she said. However, the company took full responsibility for the mistake and is replacing the marker.

“It’s not correct right now but it will be fixed,” she said.

Following the meeting, Marshall urged meeting attendees to go on a self-guided tour of some of the area’s historic landmarks, including a brick road in Morristown, the Great Western School, the Belmont County Heritage Museum, and the Blaine Bridge in Pease Township.

Prior to this year, the board met only in Columbus; however, now members take turns holding meetings in various counties that National Road runs through. Marshall said this was the first meeting held in Belmont County, hosted at The Vestry in Morristown. The board’s next meeting is set for Sept. 28 in Clark County.

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