ODOT and the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments are looking into creating a new Route 11 interchange where where Niles-Vienna road goes over the highway.

Eastgate's been studying this for years and while some local governments in that area say they are for it, the leaders of the township where it would actually be located say the proposed interchange is not welcome or needed.

Right now there is just one exit between route 82 and interstate 80 on route 11. That's Tibbetts Wick.

Now one is being considered for Niles-Vienna Road.

The Mayor of Niles says that area is landlocked by the highway so an interchange there would bring future economic growth for the whole county.
He says the area is just prime for development.

But Phil Pegg, a Vienna Township trustee, says the homeowners who live there don't want it and the property is in Vienna township and not in Niles.

"Vienna has a comprehensive plan. Our plans states that area is to remain agricultural and remain sparsely housed. That would totally change the make up of Vienna in that area," said Pegg.

Building exits there would likely require the need to tear down some properties through imminent domain.

"Some of those residents still live there and they are very much against that and they don't want to give up their property," added Pegg.

Niles would like to annex nearly 50 acres of property in that area for a housing development and they are hoping to get support from the county to do so.

Pegg says his intention is to keep the area as is and rural. He says any annexation or an added highway interchange would mean a loss of property tax for the township and that's some he says they can't afford to lose.