Here are Ohio’s plans for widening Route 161

Ohio officials on Monday approved $13 million to widen a stretch of Route 161 connecting Columbus and Newark.

The State of Ohio’s Controlling Board, which handles adjustments to the state budget, voted to direct $3 million to the project in the 2022 fiscal year, and another $10 million in fiscal year 2023. Construction crews will add one lane in either direction between Interstate 270 and Route 62.

The highway currently has two lanes in both directions.

The project is intended to address population growth and accommodate a pair of semiconductor factories that chipmaker Intel plans to build in Newark.

Intel said it will bring around 3,000 jobs to the area.

State senator Jay Hottinger, R-newark, praised the appropriation in an emailed statement.

“It is imperative we update our infrastructure in anticipation of future development,” he said. “The newly approved funds for this project will further connect businesses and citizens and contribute to the exponential economic growth happening in central Ohio.”

However, research shows that widening highways may actually worsen the rush hour gridlock they are intended to alleviate.

A concept known as “induced travel” postulates that adding extra lanes increases traffic congestion by encouraging sprawl. Numerous studies support this notion. Advocates have asked the governments of Columbus, Newark and Franklin County to consider ways to expand public transit.

Intel’s factories are slated to start churning out semiconductors by 2025. pcooley@dispatch.com @Patrickacooley

DORAL CHENOWETH/DISPATCH As the Intel chip plant construction gets underway, highway interchanges in the area might change. This rural intersection of route 161 (diagonal from lower left) and Mink Street might be a candidate for upgrades.