By Angela T. Koenig
Enquirer contributor

DELHI TWP. - The installation of sanitary sewer and storm water lines will keep a portion of Anderson Ferry Road - between Cleves-Warsaw and Rapid Run roads - closed to through traffic until about mid-December.

Construction began in September and was originally scheduled to end this month.

"We've had a lot of interference with other lines," and recent heavy rains are also a factor in the delay, said Lou LaCortiglia, supervising engineer with the Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD).

"It will be at least another month" before it's finished, he said.

The project is a joint one between MSD and the Hamilton County Engineer's Office. It calls for the installation of 466 feet of storm sewer and 664 feet of sanitary line at total cost of $162,000, said the supervising engineer.

Access to the closed portion of Anderson Ferry is available to residents, but through traffic is being re-routed, via a detour: from north to south take Anderson Ferry to Cleves-Warsaw Road to Neeb Road to Rapid Run Road to Anderson Ferry. It is reversed from south to north.

"There's a couple different options, but there are extra patrols" on the side streets, said Lt. Rick Ideker, with the Delhi Police Department.

Any time a major road closure such as this takes place, the department monitors speed and traffic volume more closely, Lt. Ideker said. The speed limits here, he said, change from 35 mph on county roads to 25 mph on township streets.

The official detour may not be the shortest route for those who know the area, but county projects require county road detours, said Mr. LaCortiglia.