ODOT hears public comments on proposed rest area closures

Seeking public opinion on the proposed closure of four Highland County rest areas, the Ohio Department Transportation held a public hearing Monday evening. While some residents said they felt the areas were a meeting ground that harbored illegal activity, others say they are a necessity for motorists, and provide jobs for area residents.

Approximately a dozen people turned out for Monday's meeting at the Hi-TEC facility in Hillsboro.

Vaughn Wilson, Deputy Director of ODOT District 9, along with human resources officer Kay Wilson answered questions and provided information on the proposed closures.

The four rest areas, located on U.S. 50 East near the Hillsboro city limits, U.S. 50 West near Dodsonville, U.S. 62 North, just north of Hillsboro, and U.S. 62 South, located two miles north of the Highland/Brown county lines, the facilities are considered "primitive rest areas. The existing facilities consist of non-flush privies, and they are in very limited and restricted use," according ODOT.

Additionally, most of the rest area in questioned do not meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, and it would be cost-prohibitive to make those upgrades, according to ODOT.

Some of the rest areas are located on private land and ODOT utilizes the property through easements. The area on U.S. 50 East is owned by the city of Hillsboro. Humble said that if it is determined the facilities are to be closed, they would revert back to the property owners or to the city.

Doug Pack, of ODOT real estate administration, said that if the locations area closed, ODOT will return the facility to its original state, as much as the property owners want. Some people want the parking and shelter house facilities to remain, while others want the pavement torn out and grass re-seeded. ODOT would meet with the individual owners if the rest areas are ultimately closed.

Mike Anderson, the program coordinator for Highco, said during the meeting that 21 Highco clients with developmental disabilities are employed by ODOT to clean the facilities and to mow the grass. If the rest areas are closed, they will have to seek alternative employment.

Anderson said that Highco clients have been cleaning the facilities since 1986, and some people who were working during that first year still are working at the rest areas.

"This is keeping 21 people employed," Anderson said. "It empowers them, that they are performing a job, and they are proud to do that job and be productive in the community."

Wilson said, "I think the program is fantastic. They are a joy to have in the offices."

It was proposed that ODOT close the restroom facilities but leave the rest areas open for parking and picnic areas. Wilson said that was an option, but it would not help with the employment situation. Anderson said that they could continue to mow grass, but it would not keep everyone working.

Ron and Donna Roberts, the primary owners of the U.S. 62 south locations, said they have had difficulties with people abusing the park area. Dodsonville owner Christine Rawley made similar statements. ODOT said that there have been incidences of alleged illegal activity regarding drug deals and other "unsavory" activity.

Jolene Walker, a Hillsboro resident and Liberty Township Fiscal Officer, said that with the amount of traffic on U.S. 50, the rest areas receive regular use from motorists and truckers.

It was asked if ODOT had contacted local law enforcement officers, because they are often seen parked at the various locations doing paperwork, or checking for speeding motorists. Wilson said that he had not spoken to the individual departments. Humble said that she had spoken to the Wilmington Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and while they did not provide arrest information, she said it was commented by the post sergeant that they often have to ask people to leave the rest areas due to the "unsavory" activity. She said that she has not spoken to the Highland County Sheriff's Office, or the Hillsboro Police Department, but "they haven't contacted us about it."

Wilson said that they wanted to gauge public opinion, and that all options were being considered. All, some or none of the rest areas could be completely or partially shut down. Humble said they will consider all comments before making a final decision.

The public comment portion will last for two weeks, from April 23. To make additional comments to ODOT, fill out the public involvement at the following link , or contact Humble at 7887 SR 124, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133, (937) 393-1833.