Friday, September 01, 2000

Project could spell relief

---

Blue Ash begins $14 million upgrade for major roads

By David Eck
Enquirer Contributor

        BLUE ASH — The city is embarking on a $14 million upgrade of Kenwood and Glendale-Milford/Pfeiffer roads that is expected to ease congestion.

        The project, to be completed by the end of 2001, will widen Kenwood from just north of downtown Blue Ash to Cornell Road, and widen a part of eastbound Glendale-Milford/Pfeiffer, City Manager Marvin Thompson said.

Tom Enderle, in trench, carefully digs around a gas line as work begins on widening Kenwood Road. The road will be reduced to one lane intermittently as the project continues. (Michael Snyder photo) | ZOOM |

        The work is being paid for primarily with city funds, Mr. Thompson said. About $300,000 is coming from the state.

        Kenwood Road, which is now two lanes, will be widened to three lanes between Catalpa Creek Drive and Glendale-Milford. It also will be increased to four and five lanes between Glendale-Milford and Cornell.

        The Glendale-Milford/Pfeiffer portion of the project will add a third lane east from Reed Hartman Highway to Interstate 71.

        “We're just trying to stay on top of the infrastructure needs; and with the growth in Blue Ash, it just required substantial road improvements,” Mr. Thompson said. “Kenwood, especially, has major afternoon backups.”

        Traffic on Kenwood north of Pfeiffer has increased steadily over the past decade, from about 13,000 vehicles per day in 1990 to more than 22,000 now.

        The project also calls for a paved sidewalk-bike path on the east side of Kenwood, curbs and gutters on Kenwood and streetscaping.

        Multiple lanes will be added at the Kenwood and Glendale-Milford/Pfeiffer intersection to improve the crossing's capacity, Mr. Thompson said.

        Some residents who live on Kenwood have mixed feelings about the upgrade.

        “I think it's just going to cause more traffic up and down Kenwood Road,” said Angel Hutson, who has lived on Kenwood for seven years. “If they want all this traffic, they should take it onto Reed Hartman.”

        Scott Miller, who moved into his home on Kenwood in 1988, said the project might help with one of his biggest issues: getting in and out of his driveway. He estimates traffic in front of his house has increased by a third since he moved there.

        “We could get out of our drive in a minute or two,” he said. “Now you have to work to get out. Hopefully it won't encourage more people to come down the road.”

        Hilda Woodard has lived in her Kenwood Road house for nearly 50 years. She thinks the expansion might make the road safer — especially for residents who are waiting to turn into their driveways.

        “I guess it may make traffic move a little faster,” she said. “I'm hoping it will be good overall.”
       

---

Cop dragged to death
Householder had other alcohol offenses
6-year-old drowns in closed pool
XU to build 273-unit apartments
Corbett pledge for arts school campus: $2.6 million
Councilmen: Jet firm overreacts
Holiday patrols on full alert
Former minister denies swindling his investors
Summer heat late, but it had to come
Blood donors needed
Bush defends health-care record
Cincinnati police union wants city to preserve promotion-test results
Education Notes
Educator wins severance fight
Hamilton police to honor officer who saved woman
He got the area soccer ball rolling
Humane group lobbies county
“I built that stadium”
Mobile home residents can stay
Project could spell relief
Reading to update residents on school delay
Suspect indicted in rape, slaying
Teachers reduce demand for raise
Trustees want lawsuit dismissed
UK president search panel finishes tour
Get to it
In the schools
Kentucky News Briefs
Pig Parade: Porker's Wild
Tristate A.M. Report