Tuesday, March 16, 1999
St. Bernard to get I-75 barrier
Ohio agrees to share cost
BY WALT SCHAEFER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
ST. BERNARD — It has taken officials six years of lobbying, but finally the state has agreed to help pay for a concrete safety barrier along the east side of Interstate 75.
State Sen. Mark Mallory, D-Cincinnati, announced Monday that agreement has been reached between the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and St. Bernard to construct the barrier from the end of the northbound Mitchell Avenue entrance ramp to just south of the Norwood Lateral interchange.
The pact calls for the state to shoulder the estimated $214,000 cost of the wall from the Mitchell Avenue ramp to the Vine Street overpass, about one-half mile.
The state also will provide materials to the city to grade and place movable sections of concrete barrier wall along the remaining 0.4-mile stretch, including the portion that abuts Ross Avenue Park, said City Service Director Ray Schrand.
The city has agreed to pay the engineering cost of the northern leg of the project and supply the labor to complete that portion north of the Vine Street overpass. Also, the city will provide any easements along the interstate right of way necessary to the work.
Cost to complete the section from the Vine Street overpass to the Norwood Lateral — including the city's share — has not been determined.
Mr. Mallory said work will be completed by the end of the year but could be finished as soon as fall.
The city's quest for a barrier was renewed recently when a sport utility vehicle was forced off the interstate by a car, smashed through the chain-link fence and bushes separating the highway from the park and stopped across a park driveway.
Although there were no injuries in that accident, there have been two instances since 1991 in which cars went off the interstate and into the park, killing the drivers.
Officials have been concerned there could be multiple deaths should the park be crowded when a car barrels through the fence.
“The city of St. Bernard and ODOT realize there is a need for change in that area,” Mr. Mallory said. “Sometimes it takes a third party to bring it together ... (and) we met with them and others ... and got an agreement.” Mr. Mallory serves on the Senate's Highways and Transportation Committee.
“This is something we have worked many years to accom plish,” said Mayor Barbara Siegel. “Our main concern is to keep our residents as safe as possible, and this safety barrier could help.”
Ms. Siegel said St. Bernard is in a high-density part of Hamilton County. The interstate sits above clusters of homes. A berm, guardrail and steep embankment separate the homes from the highway.
Kim Patton, spokeswoman for ODOT's district office in Lebanon, said: “Hopefully, this will solve the situation, and all parties will be pleased with the outcome.”
Darci's model wants doll info
Taft budget asks more for schools
Highlights of Taft's budget
Mystery hero asks: What's all the fuss?
Fatal accident follows funeral talk
Briton guilty in chat-room romance
Cancer center gains weapon
Ex-agent heads hunt for Erica
Little learners look up to 90-year-old teacher
Police seek suspect in check-kite scheme
Shot rattles police program
Lack of rain cuts threat of flooding
Teacher's $1M to benefit Oxford
Bellevue makes plans for 1st St. Pat's Day parade
Billing fraud charge admitted
Butler halts contract for computers
City will help fund holiday light show
Courthouse bidding case may spur new rules
Glendale wants levy feedback
Jillian's hot, and so are neighbors
Lockland paper factory fire was arson, investigators say
Ludlow can't decide use of grant
Madison Twp. site offered for Butler Co. jail
Money approved for NKU center
More time given for police panel applicants
Pals praise city manager at retirement
Price Hill man to plead guilty in resale scam
St. Bernard to get I-75 barrier
TRISTATE DIGEST
