By Brenna R. Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Where's the biggest traffic problem in Boone County?

The Planning Commission wants to know. And the answer could help government officials make small changes that could have a big impact on traffic flow.

"There are a bunch of roads the state is looking at upgrading, that are going to fix some of the problems - but they are a decade off or more," said Dave Geohegan, director of planning services.

In the meantime, the Boone County Planning Commission would like to see some quick short-term fixes - such as turn lanes or traffic lights - on roads with chronic traffic problems.

The commission is using a survey to identify traffic "hot spots." The 15 commission members were mailed a letter, map, and comment sheets and asked to gather information. Geohegan will also explain the survey at tonight's planning commission meeting. Residents can call the Planning Commission to offer their suggestions. One example of a hot spot is Pleasant Valley Road (Ky. 237) and U.S. 42, where traffic backs up onto Pleasant Valley because there is no left turn lane to U.S. 42, Geohegan said.

Commissioner Earl White said he already has one suggestion for congestion in Florence.

"They could improve the traffic situation a lot just by synchronizing the lights," he said. "They are not properly maintained."

Once the commission has identified sites, it will discuss the list with the county engineer, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and city officials in Florence, Union and Walton.

Any improvements on state roads would have to be approved by the state.

The fixes would be much less expensive than widening roads, and the money can come from different sources, Geohegan said.

The goal is to try to address congestion and safety while waiting for construction to begin on the projects identified in the state's six-year highway plan.

Of the six roads in Boone County on the plan, only two have construction dates set. Turfway Road is set for widening in 2004, and a new interchange at Interstate 275 and Ky. 20 is scheduled for construction in 2008.

Most of the other projects, including widening North Bend Road (Ky. 237) north of Interstate 275, reconstructing Mount Zion Road (Ky. 536) from U.S. 42 to Interstate 75, widening U.S. 25 from Industrial Road to Richwood Road and widening Camp Ernst/Pleasant Valley Road (Ky. 237) from Ky. 18 to U.S. 42, have no time set for construction.

To tell officials where short-term improvements could help traffic flow, call Dave Geohegan at (859) 334-2196 or e-mail plancom@boonecountyky.org.

Geohegan will explain the survey at the commission meeting at 7:30 p.m. today in Courtroom 3A in the Boone County Administration Building, 2950 Washington St., Burlington.

E-mail bkelly@enqurier.com