Wednesday, May 12, 1999
Forest Park asks for help to widen U.S. 127
BY MARIE McCAIN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FOREST PARK — This city is taking the lead in an ambitious road-improvement project that could widen parts of U.S. 127. Money has been approved for construction of the $3.2 million project and is coming from federal and state grants, officials said.
Also known as Hamilton Avenue, the road crosses through Forest Park, Colerain Township and Springfield Township. Although much of the project is funded, there is a $180,000 shortfall for engineering expenses.
Forest Park leaders are hoping to gain commitments for two-thirds of the funding from the other areas Hamilton Avenue passes through.
In April, the Springfield Township trustees committed $60,000 on condition that Colerain Township also agrees to commit $60,000 toward the engineering costs.
Forest Park Mayor Wayne Coates said because of time constraints imposed by the state on its contribution to the project, engineering and con struction plans have to be completed by June 30, 2001, or the state's contribution will be lost.
Colerain Township Administrator David Foglesong said Tuesday that the township trustees have yet to decide whether they will commit to help, but are aware of Forest Park's request.
In a letter sent to both townships from Forest Park City Manager Ray Hodges, Mr. Hodges said the project would widen Hamilton Avenue from its existing two- and three-lane sections to two southbound lanes and three northbound lanes, with more turn lanes from Waycross Road north to the Interstate 275 interchange.
About 50 percent of the Hamilton Avenue project runs through Springfield Township, while about 30 percent runs through Colerain Township. The remaining portions of the project abut Forest Park.
Since 1990, Forest Park and the Hamilton County engineer's office have sought funding for improvements to Hamilton Avenue from Seven Hills Drive to Interstate 275, officials said, adding that much of the funding was approved in the mid-1990s.
Springfield Township Administrator Michael Hinnenkamp said Tuesday that his area has not appropriated the $60,000 or decided whether the money will come from this year's budget or next year's.
“Right now, all we did is send a letter of commitment” to Forest Park, he said, adding that widening the road would ultimately benefit residents and ease traffic congestion.
Overseen by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), U.S. 127 is one of the more heavily traveled roads in Greater Cincinnati, said Kim Patton, ODOT spokeswoman.
The most recent statistics, recorded in 1994, determined that about 20,000 vehicles travel Hamilton Avenue in a 24-hour period.
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