Wednesday, March 15, 2000
Barrels back in familiar locations
Ohio, Ky. unveil summer road jobs
BY TANYA ALBERT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Orange barrels will soon be in familiar spots as the summer construction season begins on Greater Cincinnati's highways.
Two of the three biggest work zones are in the same places as last year: Ronald Reagan Highway east of Galbraith Road and Interstate 71 north of I-275.
And the third area: Interstate 75-71 near Donaldson Road in Northern Kentucky. That's just south of the area where drivers were delayed last summer.
“I just know it's going to be a pain,” said Marcus Payne, 21, of Mount Airy who uses the Reagan Highway and other area highways that will be under construction this summer. “I know someday I'm going to have to sit in that traffic.”
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KTC) Tuesday unveiled more than a dozen projects for the construction season.
Fort Washington Way work and U.S. 50 widening between Mount Echo Road and Maryland Avenue is already under way.
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GETTING THERE
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One way to avoid the stress of getting through construction zones is to let someone else do the driving. Local transportation services include:
• Butler County Regional Transit Authority: (513) 785-5237
• Clermont Transportation Connection: (513) 724-RIDE
• Employment Initiatives: (513) 357-2891
• Jet'Port Express: (606) 767-3702
• JobBus: (513) 731-5030
• Metro: (513) 621-4455
• RideShare: 241-RIDE
• Southeast Indiana Transit: (812) 432-5215 or (800) 725-1680
• Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky: (606) 331-TANK
• Transportation Resources and Information Project: (513) 731-5030
• Warren County Transit Service: (800) 838-RIDE
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And today, restrictions start on the Donaldson Road project in Northern Kentucky. Southbound I-75-71 between I-275 and Turfway Road will be reduced to two lanes and the southbound exit ramps to eastbound and westbound Donaldson Road close.
Charles Meyers, chief district engineer for the KTC's Northern Kentucky office, said the sooner drivers “make the merge, the better the traffic will move.”
Reconstruction of I-75-71 in Erlanger, between I-275 and just north of Turfway Road, could cause 20- to 30-minute delays during peak times. The $30 million project also includes repaving two ramps connecting I-275 to I-75-71, leaving drivers unable to use the highway that loops around downtown Cincinnati as an escape from problems elsewhere.
Drivers on Ronald Reagan Highway later this month will have only one lane in each direction between Galbraith Road and I-71 so pavement repairs, resurfacing and safety improvements can be made.
“Motorists can expect long delays in the morning and evening rush hours,” said Kim Patton, spokeswoman for ODOT's Lebanon office.
When a lane was shut down last fall to start work on the $17.6 million project, westbound Reagan Highway traffic merging from I-71 saw about five- to 10-minute delays.
Commuters who use I-71 north of I-275 will hit traffic snarls again this summer, too.
A third lane that helped cut travel time from the Governors Hill area to I-71 in half to about five to 10 minutes disappears again in May. That gives drivers somewhat of a break, though. The additional lane between I-275 and Western Row Road in Warren County was originally scheduled to close this month.
Construction crews need to finish a $33 million widening project that is taking the stretch to three lanes. The third lane should be open again by the Fourth of July.
“(Drivers can) see if there are alternate routes,” Mr. Meyers said. “Adjust times they leave for work. Take advantage of public transportation. ... Orange barrels are just a way of life.”
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