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Volume 55, No. 5
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CHESTERLAND NEWS Wednesday, July 19, 2023
Your Community Newspaper Since 1967
Traffic Signal Gets Green Light at Sperry/Route 322 By Cassandra Shofar cassandra@karlovecmedia.com 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
Obituaries page 3
Chester Government Update page 4
Classifieds page 7
FILE PHOTO
A collision warning system installed in 2021 proved unsuccessful in reducing accidents at the U.S. Route 322 and Sperry Road intersection in Chester Township. As a result, the Ohio Department of Transportation has agreed to install a traffic signal there.
ODOT in 2021 to install a traffic signal at that intersection. “I would like to call your attention to 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 Traffic • Page 6
Jazzercise Brings the Beat to the Football Field
Jr. Fair
Participants: APPEAR IN OUR
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Spotlight BARNS, FARMS & FAIR Special Section
It’s FREE! Submit photo and caption online by August 1 @ geaugamapleleaf.com/4-hsubmissions/
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Chesterland Jazzercise Instructors Liz Conroy, Dana Hursh and Katherine Mattulat held a class for the West Geauga football team June 28. The team was surprised by the high energy, challenging workout the instructors presented them. Fun, motivating teachers at Chesterland Jazzercise offer 25 classes a week. Chesterland Jazzercise Studio has been in the community for 30 years. Jazzercise was founded in 1969 and the owner of this franchise location, Patti Rentschler, has been teaching Jazzercise for 40 years. Head Coach Matt Rosati welcomed the instructors to help get his team in shape for the upcoming season.
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