Overhead flashing lights on state Route 249 to be removed

LIMA - (August 10, 2017) Overhead flashing lights at three locations on state Route 249 in Defiance County will be removed within the next two weeks.

The signals are located at state Route 2/state Route 49 west of the village of Farmer, within the village of Farmer at the intersection of state Route 2/state Route 49, and at state Route 249 and U.S. 127.

The removal will be performed by the roadway services department of the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) District 1 and is not expected to have a significant effect on traffic.

The lights will be replaced with active flashing “STOP AHEAD” signs in advance of all three intersections on both their stopped approaches, with the exception of the south approach on Farmer Mark Road within the village at state Route 249.

The overhead flashing lights are being removed because they are in need of repair, are costly to maintain and are no longer deemed an effective warning to motorists of an upcoming intersection.

“The active signs employ LED light technology which is less costly to operate and are a modern method of informing motorists they are approaching a stop condition,” said Kirk Slusher, deputy director for the Ohio Department of Transportation District 1.

Throughout the state, ODOT is replacing overhead flashing lights with active signs in advance of intersections.

The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable federal environmental laws for these projects are being, or have been, carried out by ODOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a memorandum of understanding dated December 11, 2015, and executed by FHWA and ODOT.