Sing it low and sing it slow: It's about time again for Greater Cincinnatians to be singing those orange barrel blues.

        As the season approaches, Ohio transportation officials said Monday that 11 major projects — totaling $95.3 million — will be included in the 2001 construction season.

INFOGRAPHIC

Map of road projects

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        Three have already gone to bid and eight others will be announced at a news conference in March.

        In addition, two major projects that started in 2000 — the widening of Interstate 71 in Warren County and repairs to the eastern section of the Ronald Reagan Highway in Hamilton County — will be completed this year.

        The majority of 2001 projects entail resurfacing. They'll be spread out across Greater Cincinnati, unlike the concentrated Fort Washington Way project that dominated last year's season with width restrictions and heavily diverted traffic.

        Many of this year's projects are scheduled to last only a few months — from spring to fall.

        “A lot of the resurfacing is being done at night, too,” said Mike Flynn, deputy director of the Ohio Department of Transportation's District 8 office.

        “There's a lot of infrastructure that's being added and replaced,” he said.

        Here are projects that either are carried over from last year or have already gone to bid:

        • Interstate 71: Widening between I-275 and Ohio 48. Project under way. Ends fall 2001. This project is a continuation from last year. Three lanes will be open in each direction between I-275 and Western Row Road; two lanes will be open in each direction between Western Row Road and Ohio 48.

        • Interstate 275: Resurfacing, and pavement and bridge repairs between Montgomery Road and U.S. 50. Nightly lane closures from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Begins spring 2001 and ends fall 2002.

        • Cincinnati-Dayton Road: Widening between Tylersville Road and I-75. One lane open in each direction on Cincinnati-Dayton Road. Nightly lane closures on I-75 from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Begins spring 2001 and ends fall 2002.

        • Hopple Street: Widening between Meeker Street and I-75. One lane open in each direction. Begins spring 2001 and ends fall 2001.

        • Ronald Reagan Highway: Resurfacing and other repairs between I-71 and I-75. This project started last year and will be completed this year. Night lane closures will be needed to complete the job.

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