QUESTION: At evening rush hour, I often cross the Ludlow Avenue Viaduct into Northside with the intent of going up Colerain Avenue. Since left turns are not permitted from Hamilton Avenue onto Blue Rock Road, drivers are forced to take several alternate routes. Might it not be better all around if left turns from Hamilton onto Blue Rock were permitted? - Frank Doerger, Green Township

        ANSWER: Cincinnati Traffic Engineer Steve Bailey said the left turn restrictions have been in place at this intersection because there is insufficient roadway width to provide a separate left turn lane. The lack of a turn lane results in the potential for left turning traffic to block the left through lane at a traffic signal at the same time the right lane is delayed to some degree by buses. Having these conditions at a traffic signal is worsened when the signal is red. The combination of these conditions introduces serious delays if a left turn is permitted, Mr. Bailey said. Allowing left turns at non-signalized locations does not create the congestion that would result if left turns were permitted at the signal. Alternate routes are available and provide the best compromise for reasonable traffic flow on Hamilton, he said.

        Q: Are there any plans to add a traffic signal at the intersections of Wolfpen-Pleasant Hill Road with Deblin Drive and Rainbow Trail in Miami Township? There appear to be many accidents there and the road is heavily traveled, especially when nearby schools dismiss in the afternoon. What are the accident statistics at this location? - Sheila B. Plummer, Miami Township

        A: Clermont County Engineer Carl Hartman said a traffic analysis of the intersection has been authorized to determine what traffic control devices and plans best suit the location.

        Q: Recently, the intersection of Ohio 125 and Nine Mile Road was improved with traffic signals, including a left-turn signal from eastbound Ohio 125 to Nine Mile. No such signal was installed for westbound traffic accessing Nine Mile. Why? -Julie Wallace, Amelia

        A: Timothy O. Ralston, of the Ohio Department of Transportation, said traffic studies at the time of the intersection upgrade indicated there were not enough westbound left turns onto Nine Mile to warrant a left turn arrow. Should Ms. Wallace, or others, feel the situation warrants a turn arrow, letters requesting a traffic study should be sent to Jeff Barney, ODOT, 505 S. Ohio 741, Lebanon, OH 45036.

        You Asked For It answers questions about regional history, government, schools and roads. Fax 755-4150. E-mail wschaeferenquirer.com. Mail to The Cincinnati Enquirer, 7700 Service Center Drive, West Chester 45069. Include name, neighborhood and phone.

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