By Angela T. Koenig
Enquirer contributor

CLEVES - Roadwork on Ohio 264 - Bridgetown Road - is to be finished May 15.

"The road has been shut down so long that it's been quite a disruption to travelers, but we have to get the work done," said Cleves Mayor Joe Whitton.

Ohio 264 has been closed to through traffic from Harrison Avenue to Miami Avenue for about three months.

A half-mile detour uses Miami Avenue to Ridge Road to Harrison Avenue and vice versa, said Eric Winhusen, Cleves streets commissioner.

"Right now we're probably two weeks ahead of schedule" to finish May 15, said Winhusen.

The work, he said, is the first phase of three.

Phase I is a reconstruction of streets, storm sewers, curbs and sidewalks on the south side of 264. The work extends to Pontius Avenue, but didn't require total road closure.

Cost of Phase I, Winhusen said, is about $840,000, 90 percent of which is being paid for by the state. The village is paying about $84,000.

Phase II is from Pontius Avenue to Harrison Avenue. Phase III is from Harrison Avenue to the village corporate line.

Phase II has not gone out to bid, but construction could begin as early as summer.