In this week's Hilliard Beacon Podcast, we sat down with Letty Schamp, Hilliard’s Director of Transportation and Mobility, to dive deep into the city’s ambitious transportation projects. Letty shared insights on her work with roundabouts—specifically Hilliard’s 19th roundabout—and how she has become a nationally recognized expert, even collaborating internationally on new designs like turbo roundabouts.
With National Roundabouts Week in the rearview mirror, we discussed how Hilliard’s unique take on these traffic solutions has helped shape not only local infrastructure but also influence national best practices. Letty explained how her team focuses on pedestrian safety, the evolution of roundabouts, and the strategic integration of roundabouts into city planning and how that process has changed over time.
We also explored future projects, including the development of trails and pedestrian pathways to better connect the city safely. A major highlight was the potential nine-mile expansion of the Heritage Trail, which would link downtown Hilliard to Crew Stadium, bolstering the city's identity as a trail hub and making use of the massive retired rail corridor parcel.
Letty’s commitment to safer, more efficient transportation doesn’t stop at roundabouts. She spoke passionately about the integration of transportation and land use, aiming for walkable, bikeable communities to reduce car dependency in local and regional environments - such as the upcoming pedestrian bridge over I-270 via Cemetery / Fishinger Road and also gave expansive remarks on a couple key projects that remain in the planning and development stages: the potential Amtrak / Midwest Connect rail projects and the long-term Leap Road Plan.
Hilliard's connection to the broader Midwest Connect project is particularly exciting, as the city is poised to benefit from discussions around extending passenger rail lines that could link Central Ohio with major cities like Chicago and Pittsburgh. Letty noted that while the timeline for these projects is still in flux, regional transit conversations are heating up. With rail re-emerging as a major transportation solution for the 21st century, there’s potential for Hilliard to have more access to sustainable, efficient long-distance travel. The Amtrak project is part of the larger strategy to connect more of the Midwest by rail, bringing both economic and mobility advantages to participating cities and suburbs like ours.
Leap Road requires updated infrastructure and upgrades to its limited pedestrian facilities, and is under review for a significant overhaul. The city recognizes the urgent need for better pedestrian and biking infrastructure along this stretch, particularly where homes have no garage or minimal parking. This plan focuses on modernizing Leap Road with curb and gutter systems to handle stormwater, while also integrating new sidewalks and bike paths to increase safety for residents. Letty stressed the importance of making Leap Road a safe, functional corridor that blends seamlessly with the surrounding neighborhoods and that the update is a well-deserved one for this area of Hilliard.
The long-term vision is to shift Leap Road away from its “old county road” reality and transform it into a well-planned, pedestrian-friendly space that ties into Hilliard’s broader network of trails and pathways, aligning with the city's goals for more walkable communities through the Comprehensive Plan - with Mayor emeritus Roger Reynolds making a welcome appearance!
Kevin kicked in with a final question, asking Letty for her thoughts on how to best promote general safety and welfare on our city streets and her answer is definitely worth the listen.
HBAC #80 - Hilliard's Transportation Guru: Letty Schamp