QUESTION: During the repaving of Rose Hill Avenue in North Avondale , I noticed many places where an older road surface had been exposed. The old surface seemed to be made of neatly laid, 2-by-4-by-4-inch wooden blocks. The wood was heavily impregnated, almost black, and showed little to no sign of decay. Obviously, Rose Hill Avenue was once paved with wood blocks. I wonder when that was done, and why? - Frank Meyer, North Avondale

        ANSWER: Bill Conrad, a former Cincinnati city employee and an unofficial historian of the city's street system, said some city streets were paved with oak blocks in the late 1800s and early 1900s. They were treated with creosote to withstand weather and that substance turned the wood black. Wood was used because horses did not make as much noise on wood as on bricks or cobblestones. As road surfaces changed, asphalt or concrete was simply added over the old wood surface.

        Q: Ohio 126, between the newly renovated Milford bridge and just past the Shawnee Run Road tunnel, is deplorable. Potholes make this extremely dangerous. Are there any plans to repave? - Joanne Kennedy, Indian Hill

        A: Kim Patton, spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Transportation, said the state is completing a repaving project from Milford north to the Indian Hill corporation line. It will be finished by Oct. 31.

        Q: The driveway at Twin Towers Retirement Community in the 5300 block of Hamilton Avenue, College Hill, was repaved recently. There were sensors that would allow traffic to exit the drive as needed. Now the light on Hamilton Avenue changes to red for no reason. Why was this changed? - Robert Miles, College Hill

        A: Sensors were removed during the repaving job and will be replaced by the end of November, Cincinnati Traffic Engineer Steve Bailey said.

        You Asked For It, which runs on Mondays, answers questions about regional history, government, schools and roads. Call 381-2800 and enter 2002. Fax 860-5190. E-mail wschaefer@enquirer.com. Mail The Cincinnati Enquirer, 7700 Service Center Drive, West Chester, OH 45069. Include name, neighborhood and phone.
       

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