QUESTION: I realize the enormity of this suggestion, but has a study ever been conducted about merging eastbound Norwood Lateral traffic onto Interstate 71 northbound from a right hand lane instead of the left, or passing lane? In my daily commute, traffic always backs up on I-71 north before the Norwood Lateral as I-71 narrows from four lanes to two to allow the Norwood Lateral to have its own lane to merge left with I-71. The passing lanes on I-71 will literally be bumper to bumper during rush hour as cars in the right two lanes have to merge into the left two lanes while slow moving cars coming on at the Norwood Lateral try to get out of the left hand passing lane. - Debbie McArdle, Montgomery

        ANSWER: Kim Patton, spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), said the obvious difficulty would be the requirement to reconfigure the entire interchange. There is no easy way to move the eastbound Norwood Lateral traffic over I-71 to allow it to enter the highway from the right side because of the numerous structures at the interchange. Such a project would require relocating other ramps and bridges to obtain the required bridge clearance necessary. Such a project is impractical, Mrs. Patton said.

        Q. Why can't a stop sign or traffic signal be installed at Chaucer Drive and Reading Road to allow motorists to access heavily traveled Reading Road, particularly when trying to turn left. The area is in an isolated pocket of Sycamore Township. - Don Canaan, Sycamore Township

        A. Because Reading Road (U.S. 42) is a U.S. highway, traffic control devices are approved by ODOT, Mrs. Patton said. ODOT will conduct a traffic count at Chaucer to determine if it meets requirements for a signal.

        Q: Are there any plans to add left turn arrows at Hamilton Avenue (U.S. 127) at Waycross Road? It is very hard to make left turns at both intersections at rush hours. - Pam Oaks, Colerain Township

        A: Mrs. Patton said plans have been developed through the Hamilton County Engineer's Office for improvements at the intersection. Improvements include the installation of turn arrows on U.S. 127. Work is anticipated to begin next year.

        You Asked For It, which runs on Mondays, answers questions about regional history, government, schools and roads. Call 381-2800 and enter 2002. Fax 755-4150. 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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