Emerald Connector
Share Your Thoughts
Public input is an important part of the project development process, and we would your input to help guide our efforts. Public comments regarding the project are being collected here.
You can also mail or email your comments to Tina Wawszkiewicz, twawszkiewicz@dublin.oh.us, 6555 Shier Rings Road, Dublin, OH 43016
What is the Emerald Connector?
The proposed I-270 crossing from Tuller Road to Emerald Parkway will relieve traffic on Sawmill Road and become the gateway to the Mount Carmel Dublin Healthcare Campus. Guided by placemaking principles, the Emerald Connector will provide vital access to quality health care and jobs, while preserving mobility in Dublin and northwest Columbus.
Why Is the Emerald Connector Needed?
The proposed I-270 crossing from Tuller Road to Emerald Parkway is the solution to relieving traffic on Sawmill Road and becoming a health connector gateway to Mount Carmel Dublin on Emerald Parkway. It will:
- Allow bicyclists and pedestrians the ability to safely cross I-270. It will also give hospital employees and visitors a low-stress travel option for accessing food, hotels and other businesses off campus
- Ease traffic on Sawmill Road by 20% and extend the life of the I-270/Sawmill Road interchange
- Draw traffic away from Sawmill Road, Riverside Drive and other adjacent roadways
- Expand the roadway network, improving connectivity and access north and south of the existing I-270 interchange, supporting 450,000 jobs within a 15-minute drive
- Improve access to healthcare for neighborhoods located nearby
Why Not Just Build More Lanes On Sawmill Road?
Adding more lanes on Sawmill Road will only draw more traffic here, which will actually increase travel delay, driver frustration, idling time and emissions; and create a harsher pedestrian and bicyclist environment.
Much-Needed Traffic Relief on Sawmill Road
When established in the mid-1800’s, Sawmill Road was surrounded by open fields, a sawmill and country roads. Today, it is a victim of the area’s substantial economic growth and success. It is a congested corridor with heavy traffic and few safe places to walk or ride a bike.
Today, Sawmill Road:
- Operates at nearly 280% over the vehicle capacity it was designed to handle
- Has nearly 100,000 vehicles using the interchange with I-270 every day
- Sees more than 70,000 vehicles traveling the corridor near I-270
The Emerald Connector to Mount Carmel Dublin
Mount Carmel is building a new hospital and emergency center on Emerald Parkway, adjacent to the proposed new crossing.
The 300,000-square-feet facility will create approximately 350 new jobs and provide a full range of healthcare services to the local community.
