COVINGTON — Kenton County has received $450,000 in funding commitments for a study of busy Dixie Highway's traffic problems.

IF YOU GO

What: Hearings to offer feedback on $2.5 billion in Kenton County transportation improvements recommended for the next 30 years     When: 5-7 p.m. Aug. 27, Northern Kentucky Area Planning Commission, 2332 Royal Drive, Fort Mitchell; 5-7 p.m. Aug. 28; Kenton County Public Library, 502 Scott Blvd., Covington; and 5-7 p.m. Aug. 29 at Summit View Middle School, 5002 Madison Pike, Independence.    If you can't make the hearings: The Kenton County Transportation Task Force welcomes feedback from residents via e-mail at dorym@oki.org or mail: Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments, 801-B W. Eighth St., Suite 400, Cincinnati 45203.

        The 18-month study should begin by December, Kenton County Judge-executive Dick Murgatroyd said. It will provide a guide for improving traffic flow along Kenton County's most heavily-traveled corridor. Eighty percent of the money for the study is from federal sources, with matches of 10 percent each from the state and from Kenton Fiscal Court.

        Improving Dixie Highway was the No. 1 priority of a 57-member Kenton County Transportation Task Force last December, Mr. Murgatroyd said. During rush hours, traffic jams on Interstate 75 funnel drivers onto the secondary road, slowing traffic flow along Dixie.

        “In order for Kenton County to continue to thrive and expand economic opportunities, we have to ensure adequate transportation systems are in place,” Mr. Murgatroyd said. “Recognizing the importance that Dixie Highway plays in the success of nine cities in our county makes this a pretty high priority.”

        Although fixing Dixie Highway is a top priority of the task force, the group of government officials, planners and civic leaders also wants to hear which road projects the public thinks are important.

        Three meetings are set for this month to hear what the public thinks of a list of recommended Kenton County road improvements for the next 30 years. The recommendations call for improving bus service, building light rail, improving roadways, expanding bikeways and reviewing bus rapid-transit systems.

        “We're still holding public hearings, but Dixie Highway continues to be an area of widespread concern,” said Scott Kimmich, deputy Kenton County judge-executive. “When there's an accident on I-75, it creates a real backup on Dixie.”

        One of the things the study will examine is how synchronization of traffic signals along Dixie Highway could expedite traffic, especially when accidents occur on I-75 and I-275.

        Besides offering suggestions for coordinating the signal system, the study will recommend how to improve congested intersections and consolidate access points to businesses.

        The study also will address the installation of signal pre-emption devices for emergency vehicles and the possible extension of the ARTIMIS system to better coordinate management of incidents on I-75.

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