CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — Frustrated residents along Hagerty Road are raising the alarm after a string of semi-truck mishaps—including a dramatic crash Saturday morning that tore the roof off a trailer—highlighted an ongoing safety hazard at a local railroad underpass.
Members of the local community group Hagerty Group Dangerous Semis say the low bridge has become a frequent trap for oversized vehicles, posing an escalating risk to drivers, road crews, and utility workers.
“A Crazy Day”: Five Incidents in One Week
According to area resident Kathy Bowers, the neighborhood has reached a breaking point following a chaotic week of traffic disruptions:
- 3 Semi-Trucks: Three separate tractor-trailers have attempted to navigate the underpass since last Friday, culminating in Friday morning’s severe crash where a semi opened its top “like a tuna can” against the railroad infrastructure.
- 2 Delivery Trucks: Two delivery vehicles blocked the underpass during the same timeframe after realizing they could not fit.
- Infrastructure at Risk: Thursday’s incident placed nearby road crews and utility workers inspecting electric poles in direct danger.
“Someone is going to get seriously hurt or worse,” Bowers warned, noting that the issue impacts traffic starting as far back as the intersection of US-23 and Walnut Creek Pike.
“Wrong Size, Wrong Location”: Residents Point to Flawed Signage
Despite roughly a dozen warning signs posted throughout the area, residents argue the current setup is fundamentally ineffective.
Bowers, who documented the route on the community Facebook page Hagerty Road Dangerous Semis Circleville, argues the signs are poorly placed, inadequately lit, and confusing for truck drivers:
- Missing Key Warnings: None of the signs explicitly warn drivers that a low bridge lies ahead before reaching US-23.
- Past the Point of No Return: Multiple signs are posted on Hagerty Road itself—after drivers have already turned onto the restricted route—and two are positioned after Ward Road, the last available turn-off.
- Inadequate Visibility: Drivers encounter signs that are too small, placed at improper heights, or lack lighting to catch nighttime traffic.
Residents Demand Action from Officials
Local advocates say they have brought the issue to township trustees and local authorities, only to see proposed signage improvements delayed or rolled back. Concerns over other regional issues, such as local data center developments, have previously overshadowed the bridge hazard, but residents say the recent wave of crashes makes immediate action unavoidable.
“We need help,” Bowers urged, calling for widespread public exposure to compel local officials to install larger, properly placed warning signs before a catastrophic injury occurs.
