LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — After a second reading Monday night, Lima City Council placed the Cable Road safety project on third reading.
The ordinance related to the Cable Road project failed to pass on a 5-3 vote, with council members Jesse Lowe, Jon Neeper and Todd Gordon voting no. The legislation would allow Mayor Sharetta Smith and the city to move forward with right-of-way acquisitions for the project, which spans from Latham Avenue to College Park West.
Current roadway designs call for the installation of a center median with signalized U-turns at each end from Latham Avenue to Windsor Drive. Plans also include two northbound lanes and one southbound travel lane with a center two-way left-turn lane from Windsor Drive to College Park West. Additional sidewalk, pedestrian, storm sewer and utility upgrades are also proposed.
During the council meeting, council members voiced both support for and opposition to the project.
"The city had posted on their website over the weekend and at the end of last week their plannings. There's 80 pretty nasty comments about how this program will destroy the small businesses along Cable Road, as well as the traffic through the city, and will create major problems... so I will not be supporting this whatsoever," says Jon Neeper, Lima 7th Ward Councilman who spoke in opposition of the Cable Road Project.
"Slowing traffic speed, reducing the risk of severity accidents and improving the conditions on roadways and adding sidewalks: we're investing in lives, mobility, and ultimately, the future of our city... and so for that reason, I will be voting 'yes' on it," says Jamie Dixon, Lima City Council President who spoke in support of the Cable Road Project.
The City of Lima reports Cable Road recorded more than 150 crashes between 2017 and 2021. Lima Public Works Director Amy Harpster acknowledged community concerns but said she remains confident the current design will help address the crash history.
"Any project, we're always happy to hear the input from the community, whether it be positive or negative. ODOT, with their expertise, we have a known, proven design that will reduce the injury accidents on that roadway," says Amy Harpster, Lima Public Works Director.
Right-of-way acquisitions would be funded through Ohio Department of Transportation safety funds and local city of Lima funds. If approved, construction is expected to begin in the second half of 2027.
