As Tristate drivers ready for another onslaught of orange barrels, officials with the area's traffic management system offer some hope.

        Eryk Rotondo, director of operations for ARTIMIS, said Monday that about a week of two after the first projects started, there has been little effect on traffic along the northeastern lanes of Interstate 275 in Ohio.

        “It's been minimal,” said Mr. Rotondo, whose organization monitors traffic and puts out advisories through signs posted around the interstate system, on the Web and through the media about anything that could affect traffic flow.“Whether that's a sign of things to come, we'll have to wait and see. But on these projects, there is a big stress to make sure the impact is minimal during high usage times and most of the work is at night.”

        Those two projects are among about 25 to 30 expected for rea roads beginning this spring and running into the fall.

        Officials from the Ohio Department of Transportation, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Hamilton County and the city of Cincinnati today will unveil specifics of the projects.

        Although the specific list won't be available until today, it's known I-275 will be a major focus. Two projects have already begun: one is widening Reed Hartman Highway south of I-275 and widening I-275 from U.S. 42 to Montgomery Road; and the other is widening I-275 from U.S. 50 to Beechmont Ave.

        Another major renovation is expected along I-275 in Kentucky by the airport, Mr. Rotondo said, and one of the first aspects of that project will include installing ARTIMIS cameras to help monitor traffic.

        “Now that ARTIMIS is ingrained in the community, it seems that more people have been coming to us to make sure the word gets out,” said Mr. Rotondo, whose agency became operational in 1997. “There are definitely going to be delays, but by planning ahead, ODOT and KYTC are doing more than in the past to mitigate that. And that helps the drivers plan ahead too.”

        ARTIMIS' Web site is http://www.artimis.org, or call 511 from any phone in Greater Cincinnati.

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