Ohio State Route 320
Encyclopedia
State Route 320 is a short north–south state highway
in western Ohio
, a U.S. state
. The southern terminus of SR 320 is at U.S. Route 35 (US 35) approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) southesat of New Paris
, 0.75 miles (1.2 km) south of US 35's eastern junction with Interstate 70 (I-70). The northern terminus of the state highway is located in New Paris at a signalized intersection with SR 121
.
This L-shaped two-lane highway was first designated in the early 1930s along the stretch between Preble County Road 335 (CR 335) and SR 121. The highway was extended some three decades later along the former US 35 to its current southern terminus when the U.S. highway was re-routed onto the newly constructed I-70 freeway nearby. The north–south portion of SR 320 between New Westville and New Paris runs in parallel to the east of the Indiana
state line by a distance of just more than 1 miles (1.6 km). No direct access is provided between SR 320 and I-70/US 35. Consequently, one may access I-70 westbound from SR 320 via US 35. To get to I-70 eastbound from SR 320, one must follow CR 335 westbound into Indiana, where it becomes known as Eaton Pike, and connect to US 40 to access the freeway in the eastbound direction.
. The route begins at its intersection with US&bnsp;35 south of where the U.S. route converges with I-70 at the Interstate's westernmost interchange in Ohio in Jackson Township
. SR 320 travels to the west-northwest through rural farmland prior to bending to the west into the hamlet of New Westville, where the highway encounters a primarily residential area. At a four-way stop intersection there, SR 320 turns to the north, taking over for New Westville Road while CR 335 is the roadway that departs the intersection to the west. SR 320 now turns to the north-northwest, passing amidst a number of houses prior to crossing over the I-70/US 35 duplex. To the north of the grade separation, SR 320 travels due north, and is bounded by homes and a large commercial facility on the west side, and farmland on the east side, with some batches of trees appearing along the way. It intersects US 40, then proceeds into Jefferson Township
. A combination of woods and homes appear along the west side of the highway at this point, with more farmland abutting it to the east. After a short reverse curve that takes the highway to the northeast and then back to the north, SR 320 encounters forested land on both sides. Upon emerging from the wooded terrain, the highway enters New Paris. As it follows Washington Street northerly through the village
, SR 320 passes amidst a blend of commercial businesses and residences leading up to its endpoint in downtown New Paris at a signalized intersection where it meets SR 121. This state highway is not included within the National Highway System
, a system of highways deemed most vital to the economy, mobility & defense of the country.
When the current I-70 freeway was constructed going eastward from Indiana into Ohio in 1962, US 35 was re-routed onto the freeway. As a result, SR 320 was extended southeasterly by approximately 0.75 miles (1.2 km) along the former US 35 to the current junction of the two routes.
State highway
State highway, state road or state route can refer to one of three related concepts, two of them related to a state or provincial government in a country that is divided into states or provinces :#A...
in western Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, a U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
. The southern terminus of SR 320 is at U.S. Route 35 (US 35) approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) southesat of New Paris
New Paris, Ohio
New Paris is a village in Preble County, Ohio, United States. The population was 1,623 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :The area was in the tribal grounds of the Pottawatomi, Miami and Wyandot Indians....
, 0.75 miles (1.2 km) south of US 35's eastern junction with Interstate 70 (I-70). The northern terminus of the state highway is located in New Paris at a signalized intersection with SR 121
Ohio State Route 121
Ohio State Route 121 is a State Route in Western Ohio. It connects the cities of Versailles and Greenville to Richmond, Indiana. It is a north–south route for most of its existence, except the southern portion between Indiana and New Paris...
.
This L-shaped two-lane highway was first designated in the early 1930s along the stretch between Preble County Road 335 (CR 335) and SR 121. The highway was extended some three decades later along the former US 35 to its current southern terminus when the U.S. highway was re-routed onto the newly constructed I-70 freeway nearby. The north–south portion of SR 320 between New Westville and New Paris runs in parallel to the east of the Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
state line by a distance of just more than 1 miles (1.6 km). No direct access is provided between SR 320 and I-70/US 35. Consequently, one may access I-70 westbound from SR 320 via US 35. To get to I-70 eastbound from SR 320, one must follow CR 335 westbound into Indiana, where it becomes known as Eaton Pike, and connect to US 40 to access the freeway in the eastbound direction.
Route description
SR 320 is located entirely within the northwestern corner of Preble CountyPreble County, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 42,337 people, 16,001 households, and 12,144 families residing in the county. The population density was 100 people per square mile . There were 17,186 housing units at an average density of 40 per square mile...
. The route begins at its intersection with US&bnsp;35 south of where the U.S. route converges with I-70 at the Interstate's westernmost interchange in Ohio in Jackson Township
Jackson Township, Preble County, Ohio
Jackson Township is one of the twelve townships of Preble County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 1,223 people in the township.-Geography:Located in the northwestern part of the county, it borders the following townships:...
. SR 320 travels to the west-northwest through rural farmland prior to bending to the west into the hamlet of New Westville, where the highway encounters a primarily residential area. At a four-way stop intersection there, SR 320 turns to the north, taking over for New Westville Road while CR 335 is the roadway that departs the intersection to the west. SR 320 now turns to the north-northwest, passing amidst a number of houses prior to crossing over the I-70/US 35 duplex. To the north of the grade separation, SR 320 travels due north, and is bounded by homes and a large commercial facility on the west side, and farmland on the east side, with some batches of trees appearing along the way. It intersects US 40, then proceeds into Jefferson Township
Jefferson Township, Preble County, Ohio
Jefferson Township is one of the twelve townships of Preble County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 3,449 people in the township, 1,826 of whom lived in the unincorporated portions of the township.-Geography:...
. A combination of woods and homes appear along the west side of the highway at this point, with more farmland abutting it to the east. After a short reverse curve that takes the highway to the northeast and then back to the north, SR 320 encounters forested land on both sides. Upon emerging from the wooded terrain, the highway enters New Paris. As it follows Washington Street northerly through the village
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
, SR 320 passes amidst a blend of commercial businesses and residences leading up to its endpoint in downtown New Paris at a signalized intersection where it meets SR 121. This state highway is not included within the National Highway System
National Highway System (United States)
The National Highway System is a network of strategic highways within the United States, including the Interstate Highway System and other roads serving major airports, ports, rail or truck terminals, railway stations, pipeline terminals and other strategic transport facilities.Individual states...
, a system of highways deemed most vital to the economy, mobility & defense of the country.
History
SR 320 first appeared in 1932, occupying the current stretch between its intersection with CR 335 (the former routing of US 35, which was originally designated as SR 11) and its current northern terminus at SR 121 in New Paris.When the current I-70 freeway was constructed going eastward from Indiana into Ohio in 1962, US 35 was re-routed onto the freeway. As a result, SR 320 was extended southeasterly by approximately 0.75 miles (1.2 km) along the former US 35 to the current junction of the two routes.