The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) will hold a virtual public meeting for a proposed major improvement of the State Route 2 and State Route 53 interchange in Port Clinton, which includes one or two roundabouts, and widening State Route 53 (Southeast Catawba Road) from the State Route 2 exchange to State Route 163.

The meeting will be held virtually Wednesday, Dec. 2 beginning with a project presentation at 4 p.m.

The purpose of the meeting is to explain the overall project, present the findings from the feasibility study, including the potential impacts, answer residents questions, and receive input.

The project is currently in the preliminary engineering design phase in which surveys, environmental studies, engineering, and preliminary design are underway.

The preliminary design documents are expected to be complete in May, and include either one or two new roundabouts as part of the interchange. Alternate 1 Plan would construct roundabouts at both State Road and Route 53, as well as the off- and on-ramps at the intersection of Route 53 and Route 2.

The Alternate 2 Plan has a single roundabout at the Route 53 highway ramps at the intersection with Route 2.

The project is expected to require permanent and temporary right-of-way. Specific detour information will occur in multiple phases and is not finalized at this time.

No closures are planned to occur from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and access to businesses will be maintained.

Information on the SR2/SR53 Feasibility Study by ODOT, including graphics displaying the projects and information on how to join the Dec. 2 virtual public meeting, can be found at the following website: https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odot/projects/projects/110859

If you do not have internet access and wish to join the meeting by phone, you may call 1-855-925-2801 and enter code 5361 to join the meeting.

The project team will give a presentation about the project and will then provide participants an opportunity to submit live questions to the project team during the meeting.

ODOT officials say attendance at the meeting would be greatly appreciated; however, all materials presented during the meeting, including the presentation, exhibits, handout, and comment form, will be available on the website during and after the meeting so they can be viewed and your comments submitted.

The public meeting comment period ends Saturday, Jan. 2.

If you have any questions or comments about this project or the public meeting, contact ODOT through these options:

Virtual meeting options: https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odot/projects/projects/110859. Call 1-855-925-2801 (code 3561). Text: i227 to 73224; Email: Daniel.Kaseman1@dot.ohio.gov; Call 419-373-4446.

Mail comment form or letter to: Dan Kaseman, Ohio Department of Transportation District 2, 317 East Poe Rd., Bowling Green, Ohio 43402.