DELAWARE – As Delaware County’s growth surges, homeowners and shoppers in the heavily populated south continue to seek access from the freeway into their community.
County commissioners agreed on Monday to revive a plan for an additional interchange along I-71, between those already in the Polaris Fashion Place region and Rt. 36/37 to the north, according to The Columbus Dispatch.
“Polaris is the only interchange in southern Delaware County trying to serve the growing population,” said Rob Riley, chief deputy engineer.
The plan calls for the county to spend $700,000 on a year-long feasibility study, which would be reimbursed by the Ohio Department of Transportation regardless of whether the interchange is built, Riley told commissioners. They agreed to open an account to begin the funding process.
Just as Columbus has built interchanges along I-71 roughly every two miles, feeding motorists into Linden and Clintonville neighborhoods and beyond, Delaware County wants to give motorists more access to homes and businesses in Genoa and Orange townships.
In 2000 there were about 12,000 residents each in the two townships. The population more than doubled in 2010, according to U.S. Census data. And by 2020, Genoa is projected to reach almost 27,000 residents and Orange more than 30,000, according to estimates.