May 23, 2001

Worth of loop road shown in other sites

The best way to develop an argument in favor of a loop road around part of Tiffin is to look at other communities.

Findlay has developed four--lane -- but not freeway type -- roads to take traffic around parts of its perimeter. The traffic on these roads does not move at interstate speed, as it might on a limited access bypass. But it does move.

Trucks and cars can get from the developing area on the city's east side to the developing are on the north side -- and vice versa -- in a timely fashion.

For contrast, try heading south through the city of Lancaster on US 33. What at one time was considered a bypass is now the corridor for a commercial area much like the one on the east side of Findlay.

But this one has all the US 33 through traffic passing through its midst. In the offing is a proposal to develop a limited access US 33 bypass around the city.

In the meantime, Lancaster residents -- and motorists passing through -- would be better off with a loop road.

Closer to home, Fostoria is progressing toward the development of a loop road.

Tiffin, Clinton and Hopewell townships, the Port Authority, SIEDC and developers are joining to pursue the idea of a loop road for Tiffin.

Success in their work would pay off in several ways, the most important of which would be economic development and lessening of traffic headaches.