LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Opponents of the Cable Road safety project have launched a petition campaign to place a referendum on the ballot asking Lima voters whether the $6 million project should move forward.
The project calls for a median barrier along Cable Road from Latham Avenue to Windsor Drive, a reduction of the southbound lane to a single lane, and conversion of the other lane into a left-turn or U-turn lane at intersections.
Seventh Ward Councilman Jon Neeper says the traffic data used for planning the project is outdated, relying on counts taken during the COVID-19 pandemic when traffic was lighter.
“We've got new businesses coming to the Lima mall area, up Cable Road, that are going to drive more traffic this way and to cut that lane, those lanes down using data that is outdated, based on the numbers of using the COVID years as part of their plan. You can't use those numbers when no one drove. The numbers from 2025 support everything that we're talking about that we actually shouldn't be lowering the number of lanes. We should be expanding the road,” Neeper said.
Only registered voters who live in Lima can sign the petition. If organizers collect 255 valid signatures, the measure could appear on the November ballot. Even then, city council could move forward with the project regardless of the vote. Council previously approved property acquisition for the project with a 5-3 vote each of the three readings.
“And if, if Council, the rest of council as well as the administration, want to overrule them, that's not a good thing, because those people are elected as well,” Neeper added.
Petition signing is taking place at the old Rent-A-Mart next to Runnings at the following times: Sunday March 8, 2–5 p.m.; Monday–Thursday March 9-12, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; and Friday March 13, 9 a.m.–noon. An online petition is also available for those who live outside the city; it will not place a referendum on the ballot but will show opposition to the Cable Road Safety Improvement Project. https://www.change.org/p/referendum-on-cable-rd-improvement-project
