Traffic was bad in Nelsonville on Saturday morning, but only because hundreds of people were celebrating that U.S. Route 33 will no longer include a long, slow trek through the city.
More than 650 participants converged on Nelsonville for the “once in a lifetime” chance to run, walk or bike on the Nelsonville bypass of U.S. Route 33 at the Nelsonville U.S. 33 Bypass Opening Run/Walk/Bike event.
The $200 million bypass is set to open Tuesday and will shorten northbound commutes in and out of Athens by about 20 to 30 minutes, David Rose, Ohio Department of Transportation spokesman, said in a previous Post article.
Among the race’s top finishers was Athens City Councilman Kent Butler, who said he enjoyed the up-close preview of the controversial highway.
When plans were first announced for the bypass more than six years ago, Butler, D-1st Ward, said he wasn’t necessarily in favor of construction, citing potential environmental impact.
But as he ran along the pavement, Butler noticed deer fencing along each side of the road. He said he’s content with the construction and the measures taken by ODOT to keep the wildlife in Wayne National Forest safe.
“I think in the long run, (the bypass) will benefit a number of communities,” Butler said. “(ODOT) did the best they could with engineering to take wildlife into consideration.”
City Engineer and Director of Public Works Andy Stone reiterated Butler’s optimism for the potential economic benefits the bypass could bring to Southeast Ohio.
Stone, a Nelsonville resident, helped organize the event.
“We don’t say we’re passing Nelsonville,” he said. “We say we’re opening Southeast Ohio. People who would come to Nelsonville to spend their money are going to go regardless.”
Janalee Stock, a 59-year-old Athens resident, said she thinks residents of Southeast Ohio are generally optimistic as well.
Stock, who runs races throughout the area, said the bypass 5k was among the most well attended she’s seen in awhile.
“For races around here, this is one of the largest I’ve attended,” Stock said. “I tried to distract myself from the hills by looking at the wildlife all around me.”
sh335311@ohiou.edu
@SamuelHHoward
