Tuesday, March 07, 2000
Road widening a relief to fire officials
BY LEW MOORES
The Cincinnati Enquirer
CHEVIOT — Firetrucks and ambulances will have more room on Washington Avenue to get to emergencies once roadwork, made possible by a state grant, is completed next year.
The $226,000 State Capital Improvement Programgrant will allow the city to reconstruct more than half a mile of Washington Avenue between Westwood Northern Boulevard and Harrison Avenue. Work is expected to begin as early as mid-July and be completed by May 2001.
Safety officials have sought the work for years, especially widening two-lane Washington by 3 feet between Homelawn Avenue and Smith Road.
“It's a little too narrow there,” Cheviot Fire Chief Donald Clark said. “With parking on one side, both lanes are real tight.
“I don't think there's been times when it's been impassable, but it's still a risk. It just takes one car with a problem in there, and then it would be impassable. Why take the chance?”
Steve Neal, the city's safety-service director said: “It's been one of our biggest concerns. The street really chokes off when you get up there. We're concerned about getting firetrucks and ambulances through there.”
Washington Avenue, while residential, is an important connector between heavily traveled Westwood Northern and Harrison Avenue. Roadway pavement, curbs and driveway aprons will be replaced. The city will pick up the remainder of the $377,000 cost.
Cheviot is one of 19 communities in Hamilton County due to receive close to $13.3 million in state grants and loans this summer for infrastructure work.
Officials in many communities say the grants help finance projects that otherwise would not get done.
Mr. Neal said a road levy generates about $145,000 a year and a motor vehicle tax raises another $100,000 annually. Without state help, Mr. Neal said, just one project such as Washington Avenue would deplete the city's road fund for a year.
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