Saturday, October 16, 1999
More Montgomery widening on way
Sycamore plans $18M project
BY ALLEN HOWARD
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SYCAMORE TOWNSHIP — Another section of Montgomery Road has outgrown its capacity.
In 1998, Silverton had to shell out $340,000 for major construction on a one-mile section of the busy street where 24,000 vehicles travel daily.
Now Sycamore Township and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) are planning to spend $18 million for major improvements to Montgomery Road from Kenwood Road to Galbraith Road. Work will begin in about a year.
Traffic congestion is concentrated near Kenwood Towne Centre, where several construction projects, including the expansion of Jewish Hospital, have occurred.
“An increase in commercial activity in that area has brought on more traffic,” said Lori Thompson, township administrator.
"Gigantic increases'
The Pflum Klausmeier Gehrum consulting firm in Fairfax studied the area and designed the improvement project.
“Our studies have shown gigantic traffic increases within the last five years,” said Daniel P. Ficker, project engineer. “Our projections show a steady increase for the next 20 years.”
Mr. Ficker said a study in 1995 showed that 26,000 vehicles traveled through the intersections of Kenwood and Montgomery, and at Galbraith and Montgomery.
“Our current studies show that the traffic load has jumped to 35,000 daily vehicles,” he said. And projections show the traffic reaching about 42,000 over the next 20 years.
A major lane reconfiguration will occur in the township's main business corridor, along three-quarters of a mile on Montgomery Road.
The road will be widened from five and six lanes to seven and eight from Kenwood to Hosbrook Road, Mr. Ficker said.
Two lanes will be added from Hosbrook to Galbraith, widening that area to five lanes.
How lanes to be divvied
The seven-lane section will have a center lane reserved for left turns, with three through lanes in each direction.
In the five-lane area, two through lanes will be available in each direction, with a center lane for left turns.
Where the road is widened to eight lanes, two side-by-side lanes in the center will be used for left turns, with three lanes in each direction for through traffic.
“The plans call for installing sidewalks and stone walls in some areas to minimize the impact on adjacent properties. Overhead utility wires will also be put underground,” Mr. Ficker said. “We will have computerized traffic lights to be synchronized so that traffic can move smoothly without interruptions.”
The synchronized traffic signals are pleasing to Jean Bresnen, who lives near the Galbraith Road intersection on Happiness Way.
Mrs. Bresnen has been frustrated by the continual commercial expansion that has creating traffic problems for residents. She has criticized the township for not having plans to ease the traffic flow as the area expands.
“I like the idea of synchronizing the traffic lights,” she said. “That will help the traffic along Montgomery Road, but I am not sure how it will help us from the side streets getting on to Montgomery Road.”
Opinions wanted
Public comment is invited. They may be sent through the Internet at: www.pkgconsult.com/montyroad.html or sent to Lori Thompson at 8540 Kenwood Road.
Mrs. Thompson said forms for comment may be obtained at her office, or people may write in their comments. Call 791-8447. Comments must be received by 5 p.m. Oct. 31.
Julie M. Schroeder, engineering manager for Pflum, Klausmeier and Gehrum, said they expect all land acquisitions and design plans to be complete for construction to start in late 2000.
Women can change lives of young girls
Everybody loves a riverboat parade
Today at Tall Stacks
Captains grab chance to socialize
Inland river cruises evoke Twain's era
On board the ... Dottie G
Paddle wheel part of new monument
Broadnax pitched for agency
Church settles over lost grave
Audit finds flaws at child agency
Reforms in Ky. education may provide model for Ohio
School boards: a slice of pure democracy
Transit plaza proposed for Northside
Y skate park opens today
Cancer kills Cincinnati policeman
GET TO IT
Here comes CitiRama
Jarvi gives CSO boost once again
Clearcreek on its 3rd levy try
Columbus mayor's race starts to heat up
Flights give bird's-eye view of Butler Co.
Former basketball player sentenced for sexual battery
Goshen tax needed for school plan
Husband found guilty of wife's shooting
More changes due at uranium plant
More Montgomery widening on way
Observatory invites visitors to sky fair
Officer is master of martial arts
Roeding will run to keep Senate seat
Splats all for a good cause
TRISTATE DIGEST
Volunteer school mentors may move with Starkist
