Transportation officials work to make Clark Co. intersection safer

CLARK COUNTY, Ohio (WDTN) - State route 235 is known as one of the most dangerous roads throughout southwestern Ohio.

According to officials, in the past six years a dozen people have died and countless others have been injured on the roadway.

On Tuesday, a man narrowly escaped death after his truck collided with a semi at Christiansburg-Jackson road in Champaign County.

Officials maintain one of the main areas of concern is where state route 235 intersects with state route 41 in Clark County

For decades transportation officials have been working to make this particular intersection safer by smoothing out hills to enhance visibility and replacing stops signs with traffic lights.  Despite their best efforts, people are still getting killed at the intersection. 

Two crosses reading the name Tracy Walkup sit where the state routes meet in Pike Township

Walkup, 49, was the most recent victim killed at the dangerous intersection.

Walkup's died after his car was hit by an SUV June 2012.

A DeGraff woman was also killed at the intersection.

Lindsay Hill, 31, died in May 2011 following a two car crash.  Officials said someone ran a red light at the intersection.

Transportation and law enforcement officials alike are working on additional measures to make the intersection safer.

"We are looking at several different options," said Sheriff Gene Kelly with the Clark Co. Sheriff's office.  "We believe the 55-mph speed limit and high volume of traffic are contributing factors to the accidents.  We've discussed adding "rumble" strips leading up to the intersection.  There are also talks of installing roundabouts."

Officials said drivers also need to do their part by staying alert and focused on the roadway.