Resources for Franklinton Residents: ODOT I70 Tree Clearing
In April 2024, ODOT contractors removed every tree along Thomas and Green South of Sullivant in the ODOT right-of-way. While ODOT’s guidelines state that they are only required to clear a 30-foot area from the guardrail, they instead cut as far as 80, 90, even 100 feet out, leaving a completely clear-cut area.
You can find the technical manuals with their own internal standards here:
1. Clear Zones 2. Vegetation Management Permitting
Removing 30ft of vegetation would have left all of the trees outside of the yellow area
Instead, this is what happened:
Now, ODOT has informed us that they plan to continue this project along I-70 up to West Broad Street, including the stretch near Starling K-8 and West Central School.
The ODOT folks have indicated that they plan to follow their own guidelines for this next leg of the project, but we need to make sure there’s no “miscommunication” with their contracted workers again this time.
ODOT Public Information Officer sent an initial email about the next leg of the project along I70 on 2-5-25.
On 2-6-25 we requested the following:
Clarification on Selective Management & Removal Scope:
What specific criteria are contractors given for what should be removed versus what should be retained?
How is selective management being defined in this project?
Adherence to the 30-Foot Limit:
How are contractors being directed to adhere to the 30-foot boundary?
Will they be working from a detailed map, actively measuring as they go, or is there flexibility in how they interpret the clearing area?
Can you confirm that contractors will not be clearing beyond the designated limit, as happened last April?
Community Expectations:
What is the schedule for next week’s work, so that community members can be prepared?
If there are concerns that contractors are working beyond the intended scope, who should we contact immediately, and what is the process for ensuring that ODOT’s policies are followed?
We will share updates here and on the Franklinton Friends Facebook group when we receive them.
Here is a walk-though of the April ‘24 clearing area and the area to be cleared in February ‘25
What can we do?
Neighbors have the right to speak up if the 30 foot guideline is not being followed.
Call our Public Information Officer at ODOT if you believe the contractors are working outside of the guidelines. Here’s his contact information:
Matthew McGuire
Public Information Officer
ODOT District 6
400 East William Street
Delaware, Ohio 43015
D: 740.833.8222
Matthew.McGuire@dot.ohio.gov
