The village, in conjunction with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), will host a community open house from 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Washingtonville VFW to discuss proposed alterations to the East Street/state Route 14 intersection.

ODOT held a stakeholders meeting in June to discuss what could be done to the intersection, where East Street does not align with the adjacent Washingtonville Road.

At the meeting, a general consensus called for alignment of the two roads and installation of a traffic light, as well as additional minor alterations to the surrounding roadways.

According to ODOT engineers, the light could be installed and

alterations completed by the fall of 2012.

Washingtonville Mayor Norm Sommers said the project has been in the works for over 10 years.

"It's definitely a trouble intersection," he said. "There's times when you can't even get out on (state Route) 14."

In addition to the light installation and road alignment, the project includes construction of left turn lanes on state Route 14 and a state required two-foot buffer between the road and a 10-foot wide bike and pedestrian path for the Greenway Trail on the west side of Washingtonville Road, which would require minimal right of way acquisition. The plan also prohibits parking along state Route 14, along which residents can currently park.

Following the open house meeting, details can be designed, rights of way purchased and bids advertised, Rodney M. Wilson, a District 11 transportation engineer with ODOT's Planning and Programs Administration, stated at the June meeting.

No formal presentations will be made at the forum, but residents will be able to view exhibits of the different alternatives, discuss the project with ODOT and village representatives and provide feedback on the proposed improvements.

Residents are encouraged to submit comments regarding not only the social and economic impacts of the project, but the environmental, as well, which includes archeological, architectural and ecological resources, hazardous materials and the project's general location. After evaluating the comments gathered at the meeting, ODOT will proceed with the final design of the preferred alternative.