Thursday, June 17, 1999
Top road improvements identified for Boone Co.
BY AMY CAPPIELLO
The Cincinnati Enquirer
BURLINGTON — After nearly two hours of discussion Wednesday, the Boone County committee charged with identifying the county's most pressing road improvements came closer to an agreement.
Consultants told members of the Northeast Boone County Transportation Study Planning Committee that $70 million to $85 million would be available in state and federal money for road improvements over the next 20 years. However, the committee has 26 projects totaling $170 million to $200 million to choose from.
Of the proposed projects, the committee identified the three it thought would alleviate the most traffic problems.
The first project would widen North Bend Road north of Interstate 275 to accommodate proposed development and a new elementary school.
Herb Mack, a consultant with Burgess & Niple Ltd., said the proposal would probably require the road to be widened to five lanes between Tanner Road and Thornwilde Drive, and three lanes beyond that. The estimated cost is $20 million.
Committee members said the project lessens the need for an interchange at Graves Road and I-275, estimated at $19 million.
The committee's second high-priority project is the construction of a road to help redirect traffic flow on the east side of the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.
Michael Sexton, a consultant with Wilbur Smith Associates, said the project, estimated at $31 million, would eliminate the need to widen three roads near the airport:
• Burlington Pike between North Bend Road and I-71/75.
• Houston Road between Woodspoint Drive and Turfway Road.
• Donaldson Highway south of Tower Drive.
Not widening these roads would save $27.5 million.
The final project members tapped is a $7 million rebuilding of the interchange at Ky. 212 and I-275 to provide better access to the airport and relieve stress on I-275.
The committee also cited three projects totaling $13 million for “second-tier” status. Those proposals were for:
• A road jutting off Houston Road to relieve traffic demands.
• An overpass over I-71/75 between Cavalier Boulevard and Meijer Drive to relieve congestion on Turfway Road.
• The construction of ramps to give interstate access to along I-275.
Consultants will examine the committee's initial recommendations to see how these improvements would affect the 20 remaining projects. The committee plans to meet July 21 to finalize the plans.
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