An overhead view of the current intersection on U.S. 50 in Coolville. County Road 56 can be seen from the left and right with cars turning left or driving straight onto the highway. (Photo provided by ODOT)

ATHENS COUNTY — The Ohio Department of Transportation on May 27 will begin a project in Coolville to improve safety and improve the intersection at U.S. 50 by preventing drivers from turning left or driving straight from County Road 56.

Reduced Collision U-Turns will force drivers to turn right and U-turn instead of turning left onto highway traffic.

Eighteen crashes were reported at the intersection from 2019-2023. Most of the accidents were a result of drivers turning left or straight from CR 56.

The RCUT intersection is expected to reduce the amount of crashes by up to 50 percent, according to a statement from ODOT.

This improvement will also reduce the severity of the crashes if they do happen. The Federal Highway Administration determined that RCUT intersections were a safer alternative to the current traffic flow.

The construction plans for the RCUT intersection will begin on May 27 and is expected to end in October. The RCUT intersection will attempt to prevent crashes as a result of left turns on the highway intersection. (Photo provided by ODOT)

The estimated cost of construction will be around $3.2 million.

Expected lane closures will be between SR 144 and Church Road starting May 27 for the first phase of the project. Estimated completion is October.