A roundabout planned for Cassady Avenue in Columbus is one of 55 new traffic safety projects statewide to receive a total of $137.5 million in state funding.

The local project, the result of the Cassady Avenue Safety Study, will receive $2.5 million for the installation of a roundabout and turn lanes. The project, sponsored by the city of Columbus, is slated for completion in 2030.

Additionally, a roundabout planned for U.S. 36 at Ostrander Road in Delaware County will receive $3.17 million, while $1.66 million was granted for a roundabout at Coonpath and Election House roads in Fairfield County.

Twenty-five of the 55 projects involve roundabouts.

In Fayette County, the state has targeted $5.9 million for a roundabout at state Route 41 and Bloomingburg-New Holland Road in Union Township.

In Pickaway County, the state has awarded $2.2 million for a road realignment project at U.S. 23 and Tarlton Road.

The funding awards are part of Ohio’s Highway Safety Improvement Program, which invests more per capita on roadway safety than any other state, according to a news release.

“Ensuring the safety of Ohio’s roadways is always one of our top priorities,” said Gov. Mike DeWine. “Whether you’re driving or walking, we want every Ohioan to get where they’re going safely.”

Of the funded projects, 22 will directly improve pedestrian safety through the construction of sidewalks, shared use paths or improvements to crosswalks.

Grants include $580,000 to fill gaps in sidewalks and add pedestrian crossings along state Route 521 in Kilbourne in Delaware County.

Last year, 125 pedestrians were killed in Ohio. So far this year, there have been 50 pedestrians killed, the release noted.

Five of the projects will target roadway departure crashes — when a vehicle leaves the travel lane and veers off the road — by widening the shoulder of roadways or realigning curves.

A project in Morrow County to realign a curve and widen the roadway along state Route 95 will receive $3.48 million.

Ohio’s Highway Safety Improvement Program addresses road locations with a history of fatal or injury crashes where other safety improvements have not been effective, according to the release.

“These targeted, data-driven investments not only improve safety for local communities but strengthen the transportation system across Ohio,” stated Ohio Department of Transportation Department Director Pamela Boratyn.