By David Eck
Enquirer contributor

Residents who live along Hopewell Road in Montgomery and Indian Hill are bracing for a sewer project that will close a portion of Hopewell for the next seven to eight months.

"We're expecting a mess, a terrible inconvenience," said Sandy Green, who has lived on Hopewell for 18 years.

Though the road will be closed to through traffic, residents will have access, officials say. Hopewell between Buxton Lane in Montgomery and Weil Road in Indian Hill is scheduled to close Sept. 2. The affected portion covers just over a mile.

Representatives with Massachusetts based-Modern Continental Construction Co. say they will work with residents to ease the disruption.

"Every resident will be able to get home at night," said Ron Krumme, project manager for Modern Continental.

Residents will receive identification for their vehicles to allow them to use the road, Krumme said.

"We will be maintaining access for all the local residents and appropriate vehicles," said George Vila, supervising engineer for the Metropolitan Sewer District. "We know that there's going to be some inconvenience. And we regret that. But we've got to build the sewer."

A detour is expected to include Humphrey, Loveland-Madeira and Remington roads, officials said.

Indian Hill police officials expect the intersection of Loveland-Madeira and Remington roads to be most affected.

"I think the biggest thing it's going to do is push more cars onto Loveland-Madeira," said Indian Hill police Lt. Chuck Schlie.

The $6.1 million project will include tunneling under Hopewell.

"I think there will be some impact, even to local traffic, but MSD has assured us that they are confident that they will be able to get the work done in the time frame that they describe," Montgomery Public Works Director Robert Nikula said.

An information session about the Hopewell Road closing is scheduled for Sept. 10 at the Montgomery Safety Center, 10150 Montgomery Road, from 4-6 p.m.

E-mail daveck@fuse.net