It was a gorgeous, cool, and sunny Saturday in September
2013 as runners, walkers, and
cyclists gathered for a once-in-a-lifetime event in our
region, The Nelsonville Bypass
Opening. Early in the
morning, school buses from Hocking College shuttled participants
from the Public
Square to their starting marks on the recently completed bypass. For
a few brief hours the roads were occupied not by cars and
eighteen wheelers, but by
people of all ages geared up in their running shoes and
bright blue t-shirts. Doubtless
many were captivated by the beauty of the bypass
surroundings of Wayne National
Forest. Many were in awe of the rare experience to traverse
the now peaceful, quiet
highway soon to be open to tens of thousands of vehicles
rushing through the Hocking
Valley.
It has now been over a year and a half since that eventful
Saturday, and
the Nelsonville bypass section of Route 33 is as busy as ever
with vehicle traffic. Many
here anticipated the completion of the bypass for years.
They also wondered what the
effect would be on the quiet city of Nelsonville (which, on
days like Homecoming or
Parents’ Weekend at Ohio University, wasn’t all that
“quiet.”) Route 33, or Canal Street,
was a perpetual bustle of car and truck activity since I
arrived to town four years ago. I
quickly became familiar with the oft-repeated phrase, “If
you want to get through
southeastern Ohio, you have to go through Nelsonville.” Some
businesses thrived from
all of the through-traffic, and certainly fuel and eating
establishments popped up
because of it. What was to happen when the bypass opened?
How would Nelsonville
fair?
The answer to this question is still in process. Ask a
resident in Nelsonville today the question, “How has the bypass affected your life?” and you
will hear a variety of answers: How pleasant it is to be able to cross the street
without waiting for five minutes. How good it is not to have to drive that dangerous
section of Old 33. How some long-time businesses such as a gas station and used car
dealers have closed their doors. How others have fought to remain resilient and adaptive. Many I
talk to are hopeful about this city, looking for the bypass to help, not hinder, brighter days of tourist
activity, thriving small businesses, and “small town charm” to come.
New businesses have opened such as the campground and canoe livery on
the East entrance to the city.
Two transportation companies specializing in trucks and trailers have opened on Canal Street, a pizza shop has expanded to
include in-store dining and another
existing restaurant in town is moving
to a larger and more accessible location on Canal Street. In keeping with Nelsonville’s arts heritage, a new art studio and gallery has
located on Canal Street. The Hocking
ValleyScenic Railway introduces their restored steam locomotive
for the first time this season and has already attracted media coverage.
The effects of the
bypass may take some time yet to unfold, and questions remain as to its long-term effect. Still, there are many households, small businesses, school
rooms, offices, and gathering places, in which community, hard-work, and dreams for Nelsonville
continue to thrive.
Peter Galbraith
Pastor
First Presbyterian Church of Nelsonville
