To the editor:
Each day since the new Kershaw Green apartments along State Route 682 were opened in 2024, I have noticed many walkers – some adults, some with children, and some with dogs – going up and down both edges of SR 682. It is about a 200-yard walk that crosses a railroad track, the Margaret Creek bridge, and ends at the intersection with West Union Street in which there are no pedestrian lights or crossings.
While I am usually glad to see people out walking for exercise or shopping, I am very concerned about people walking so close to the fast moving traffic on SR 682 with no sidewalks.
I went to the office of Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to ask if they were responsible for providing safe walk ways along that stretch of road. A very friendly Ami Thomson greeted me and thanked me for my concern for the people walking along a dangerous length of road. The very next day, Thompson called me back to say that engineer David McDonald had responded to my inquiry, offering information that the City of Athens in 2025 is planning to build a roundabout on Union St. and SR 682. He thought that the city had plans to also build sidewalks as far as the Kershaw Green apartments along 682. He offered a phone number to check this information with the city.
Delighted, I called the City and Joann Garland gave confirmation that sidewalks would be part of the roundabout plan slated to begin summer 2025. During phase two of the plan, a sidewalk will be built. I give thanks for the good people who responded to this concern and look forward to “happy trails” along SR 682 in the month to come.
Trisha Lachman
Athens, Ohio
