STEUBENVILLE — The City of Steubenville, in conjunction with the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission and Ohio Department of Transportation, is performing a safety/feasibility study in the downtown aimed at improving safety and enhancing travel for vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

From now through May 16 officials are asking residents to review the proposed changes — available on the city’s website at https://www.cityofsteubenville.us/news_detail_T16_R14.php — and submit comments.

There are currently 13 “signalized” intersections and six that have no signals in the study area — from Adams Street to Logan Street and Third Street to Seventh.

City officials say signal warrants were analyzed and 12 of the 13 signalized intersections are no longer warranted, so they’re recommending replacing 12 stoplights with all-way stop signs. If the plan is adopted, the only traffic signal they recommend keeping downtown would be at the intersection of Seventh and Washington streets.

They also point out that over the years there’s been talk of adding bike trails in the downtown area to support Steubenville Heritage Trail and The Great American Trail, a 3,700-mile rail-trail beginning in the nation’s capital and ending in the state of Washington. The study looked at a concept plan for a bike trail loop in the downtown area running along Washington Street to Third Street, Adams Street and Fifth Street.

In addition to the concept plans, drawings of how the business district might look, with and without the changes, are available at the city website. A current set of concept drawings also may be viewed weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the City Engineer’s office, 115 South Third Street, Suite 107.

Written comments/questions concerning the concept plan also may be mailed City Engineer Michael Dolak P.E., at the same address. He can also be contacted by telephone at (740) 283-6000 ext. 3303, or emailed to mdolak@cityofsteubenville.us