ST. BERNARD -- For years, people living and playing along Interstate 75 here have looked up nervously at the trucks and cars roaring by, expecting another errant tire or hunk of trash to come flying their way.
Twice since 1991, cars have careened off I-75 and down an embankment into the trees and fence that border Ross Avenue Park. In both accidents, the driver was killed; one of the cars didn't stop until it reached the park's parking lot.
Those accidents and other incidents have led St. Bernard officials to plead with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to build a barrier along northbound I-75 to protect the park and a residential area along Bank Street.
Finally, something may be done.
"We had a number of state (ODOT) officials here last week . . . a number of people from the office of (U.S. Rep.) Steve Chabot (R-Cincinnati)," Mayor Barbara Siegel said.
"This was a very encouraging meeting," Service Director Ray Schrand said. "A fellow from (Steve) Chabot's office was wondering why it had taken so long (to address the problem), and Michael Flynn, from the department of transportation, seemed convinced enough to send an engineer. I got positive vibes from him."
Mr. Flynn, deputy director of ODOT's district office in Lebanon, said he has authorized engineers from the district's planning department to look at the situation "and make a final determination."
Gary Lingren, chief of staff at Mr. Chabot's office in Washington, D.C., said: "There's a disaster waiting to happen in that community. We do not want to worry about cars and trucks coming into parks during soccer games. There are safety issues that must be addressed."
Ms. Siegel said the city has been diligent in finding a solution.
"We have constantly been in contact with (ODOT and government representatives). Every time we see them, we bring it up. We spent $7,000 on a (required) engineering study -- measuring the slopes and things like that," the mayor said.
Police records show there were 250 accidents in 1996 and 1997 in the 0.9-mile stretch between the end of the Mitchell Avenue entrance ramp north to the Norwood Lateral -- where the city wants the barrier.
"'We are just trying to protect our residents," Mr. Schrand said.
Along the stretch are two municipal parks -- Ross Avenue Park and Ludlow Grove -- and the residential area. The city fire department headquarters sits below the interstate on Vine Street, just east of the Vine Street overpass.
Ann Niesen of Bank Street lives with the interstate as her backyard neighbor. "There have been a few accidents up there . . . and the only thing between us and the interstate is that guardrail up there. We have thought about what might happen.
"And we do get debris down in the gully, tires, and they roll garbage down the hill," Mrs. Niesen said. A wall would keep the residents from seeing the highway and would help stifle the noise from the constant stream of cars; and motorists "wouldn't be able to see everything that's going on down here."
