BY TANYA ALBERT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
It took 40 years to complete the Ronald Reagan Highway, but a year after the final leg of the crosstown link opened, many commuters say it was worth the wait.
Motorists are zipping from Colerain Township to Montgomery in 15 to 20 minutes.
Once-jammed roads on the west side of town are seeing some relief.
And in some cases, the new 4.3 miles of asphalt cutting through North College Hill, Mount Healthy, and Springfield and Colerain townships have been a catalyst in attracting new businesses.
West-side communities heard the promises since planners laid the first stretch of 16.4-mile highway between Galbraith and Ridge roads in the 1950s. And Wednesday, the first anniversary of the final 4.3-mile stretch opening, community members have learned the promises were true.
"I give the forefathers of this city credit for saying "let's put this highway through the southern border of our city,' " Timothy McInerney, Mount Healthy safety service director said. "They had to make the decision to sacrifice some homes, but they had a vision, cooperated with the state and they made it happen."
As with any new highway cutting through dense populations, there have been some complaints about the noise.
Some others have complained that they can see the roofs of cars from their homes or that pulling out onto streets such as Hamilton Avenue is more difficult.
But many other people are talking about the positive benefits of finally having a highway that cuts through the middle of Hamilton County.
There was no question that the final link of the Ronald Reagan Highway -- formerly called Cross County Highway_ was going to reduce driving time between some areas.
Instead of snaking along Galbraith Road or other stoplight-ridden streets, commuters have a straight shot on a two-lane highway at 50 to 60 miles per hour.
"It's been a godsend," said Thomas Graham, 69, of Springfield Township. His drive to his in-laws' home in Colerain Township has been cut to seven minutes. It used to take as long as 35 minutes.
It's also cut travel time for people who live in the east and work in the west, and vice versa. It provides a more direct shot to Interstates 275 and 74. It has also drawn people such as Anita Bell of Milford to shopping centers in Colerain Township.
"I probably wouldn't be here if Cross County didn't open," said Ms. Bell, 29, who met a friend in Pleasant Ridge and drove to the Northgate shopping area last week.
And there's been a side benefit where traffic jams are concerned. Traffic at clogged intersections such as Winton and Galbraith roads and Winton and North Bend roads has decreased since Ronald Reagan Highway opened.
"These are two intersections that have historically been a problem for us," said Ted Hubbard, the Hamilton County engineer's chief deputy. "But the highway is having a positive effect. . . . It's helping the arterial system."
In 1996, when Ronald Reagan Highway (then known as Cross County Highway) ended just east of the Galbraith and Winton roads intersection, about 64,200 cars passed through Winton and Galbraith each day. There were 61 accidents.
In 1998, only about 46,300 cars use the intersection daily. So far there have been 31 accidents. Based on that, Mr. Hubbard expects 38 accidents by the end of the year.
While traffic still backs up at peak times, the back-ups aren't as wicked as they were a year ago.
"Sometimes in the morning it was really bad, I'd wait 20 to 25 minutes," said Barry Patel, 42, of Springfield Township, who commutes through the Winton-Galbraith intersection. "It's nothing that bad now."
Driving business
As traffic flow has improved, so apparently has the businesses atmosphere in places such as Mount Healthy and Colerain Township. A business park on Compton Road in Mount Healthy sat empty for eight years. "The day Cross County opened two real estate people called me," Mr. McInerney said.
A CVS pharmacy should open in Mount Healthy before Thanksgiving. The downtown business district is getting a major overhaul with new sidewalks and street lights. And there's plenty of interest in land along Hamilton Avenue just north of the Ronald Reagan interchange, Mr. McInerney said.
Just down the highway, Colerain Township has seen an increase in the number of calls it gets from light industrial businesses interested in locating there, said Frank Birkenhauer, Colerain Township assistant administrator.
Upscale housing development is also on the rise. And Home Depot moved into a shopping center that was partially vacant for years.
"It's definitely helped," said Mr. Birkenhauer, who noted that television and radio ads now make reference to Colerain Township and Ronald Reagan Highway. "As far as identity is a concern for Colerain Township, it has definitely increased our visibility."
In Springfield Township, development is already strong along Winton Road.
But township leaders are optimistic about more development because of the convenience Ronald Reagan Highway provides.
"We haven't seen anything yet, but I think it will be longer term," said Mike Hinnenkamp, Springfield Township administrator. "Over the next five to seven years we'll see some rejuvenation on Winton Road."
The future is optimistic in North College Hill, too.
Major redevelopment along Galbraith Road combined with Ronald Reagan Highway has generated new interest there, said North College Hill Mayor Dan Brooks.
"People are anxious to locate here," he said. "At least that's the feeling we get from developers."
