Question: While driving I-275 between U.S. 32 and Beechmont Avenue last week, I noticed on both sides of the highway, beyond the shoulder, it looked as if a bulldozer had plowed paths up the embankment into the woods. Then about 50 yards later, the path comes out of the woods. I saw path after path. What are they?

        Answer: We can tell you, but you may not like it. It involves two years worth of more orange barrels.

        That from Kim Patton, public information officer at the the Ohio Department of Transportation.

        “The paths are tracks left by heavy equipment used to take soil samples,” she says.

        “The reason soil samples are needed is because I-275 will be widened between U.S. 50 and Five-Mile Road. Information gathered from the soil samples will be used to help design the noise wall.”

        The widening project, Ms. Patton says, is a 10-mile stretch that will take about two years, starting sometime in 2002. But it probably won't be orange barrel torture, she says, because most lanes will stay open during the day, with closures mostly at night.

        If you have a stupid question, send it to Ask a Stupid Question, Cincinnati Enquirer, 312 Elm St., Cincinnati OH 45202; fax: (513) 768-8330.
       

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