QUESTION: Last fall, the stretch of River Road from the new Blue Rock Road Bridge to Ohio 128 in Colerain Township was resurfaced and widened. Now a new water main is being installed, and the new asphalt is being torn up. Does any planning or coordination between government agencies go on for a situation such as this?
       James C. Moeller — Colerain Township

        ANSWER: Kim Patton, spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), said the state-funded bridge project was limited to the intersections on either side of the span and did not include resurfacing River Road. Eric Beck, Hamilton County construction engineer, said the county and Cincinnati Water Works worked together on resurfacing and water main projects. A leveling course was placed on River Road to help maintain the pavement until the water main construction is completed.

        Then the final road surface can be applied. Cincinnati Water Works will be participating in the cost of the final resurfacing, he said.

        Q: The stoplights at Winton and North Bend roads are very confusing when traveling north on Winton. The left turn light appears to be in the middle lane rather than the left-turn-only lane. Can this situation be improved?
       Gary Fredensborg — Finneytown

        A: A field investigation revealed the signal locations are within national guidelines, but some alignment changes will be made to improve the situation, said Cincinnati traffic engineer Steve Bailey. A work order will be issued to realign the northbound and southbound signal heads, he said.

        Q: Are there plans to continue widening Ohio 747 farther north into West Chester Township? When traveling southbound on Ohio 747 south of Smith Road, traffic backs up because cars are waiting to turn left into a commercial center. The road widens to four lanes just south of there. Also, the area is wide enough to add pavement or gravel to allow motorists to move around the left-turning traffic. Is that feasible?
       Julie Forney — West Chester

        A: Plans call for widening Ohio 747 to five lanes from Union Centre Boulevard to Tylersville Road in 2003 or 2004, said Jay Hamilton, ODOT planning engineer. The state will not construct runarounds for traffic because not every motorist uses them, causing an accident danger. Because the widening project will occur within the next two years, the cost of adding a dedicated left-turn lane now cannot be financially justified, he 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 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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