Traffic Signal Gets Green Light at Sperry/Route 322
The intersection of U.S. Route 322 and Sperry Road in Chester Township has officially been deemed dangerous enough to warrant a traffic signal.
The intersection of U.S. Route 322 and Sperry Road in Chester Township has officially been deemed dangerous enough to warrant a traffic signal.
“After previous safety measures showed no reduction in crashes — including a collision warning system installed in 2021 — the (Ohio Department of Transportation) determined a traffic signal was necessary to improve safety,” said Brian Blayney, of ODOT District 12, in a statement. “ODOT crews have been working to prepare the intersection for its conversion to a signalized operation. They have been able to utilize many of the materials that were previously installed at this intersection, which has expedited construction.”
Blayney said before the traffic signal is fully operational, ODOT will be placing it in “flash mode” beginning July 19 for a period of seven to 10 days.
“This will give drivers time to acclimate before the traffic signal is put into operation,” he said. “During flash mode operation, the signal will flash yellow to traffic on U.S. 322 (Mayfield Road) and red to traffic on Sperry Road. The traffic signal will then be placed into full operation. Warning signs will be placed on all approaches to give drivers notice of the new signalized intersection.”
Chester Township Trustee Ken Radtke said he was “very happy” the light was going in, as this has been something on his radar for a long time.
“I live just south of Mayfield Road on Sperry, so I have heard those crashes … very frequently unfortunately,” he said in a phone interview July 17.
Radtke thanked Chester Township Police Department administrative assistant Lisa Braemer and Police Chief Craig Young for developing a good relationship with Blayney, whom he also praised for acting quickly.
“(Braemer’s) been constantly providing Brian Blayney data each time there’s an accident or incident there. I give kudos to Lisa for that,” Radtke said, adding the frequency with which they stayed in touch with ODOT about the intersection helped keep it high on ODOT’s radar.
State Rep. Diane Grendell (R–Chester Township) also lobbied ODOT in 2021 to install a traffic signal at that intersection.
“I would like to call to your attention an extremely dangerous intersection in House District 76. The intersection of U.S. Route 322 and Sperry Road … has been the site of 26 vehicular accidents since 2018,” Grendell wrote ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks at the time, following another accident at the intersection. “The addition of a traffic light would significantly reduce the amount of vehicular accidents. While flashing yellow light indicators were installed at the intersection approximately two weeks ago, another accident has already occurred.”
Since 2021, there have been an additional 26 accidents — 13 injury and 13 non-injury — at that intersection, according to the police department.
“We’re really excited about this one. It’s been a long time coming,” said Young in a phone call July 17.
Young said once it became clear the early warning system wasn’t as effective as they had all hoped, his department had several discussions with ODOT about what the best alternative would be.
“And it was having a traffic light,” he said, echoing Radtke with accolades for Braemer and Blayney for getting the job done.
“(Braemer) was instrumental. Every time there was a crash, she would send data to them,” the chief said. “Brian was also extremely passionate for doing what was right for safety … and just got it done.”
