By Reid Forgrave
The Cincinnati Enquirer

CHEVIOT - Concerned about traffic problems along bustling Harrison Avenue during and after the renovation of Cheviot School, officials are considering turning the bordering Roswell Avenue into a dead-end street so it no longer spills onto Harrison.

At a meeting last week, City Council members stressed that the road change will be best for the school, for nearby residents and for the entire community. The encouraged residents to voice their concerns at a public hearing Tuesday evening.

The concern city officials hope to mute at the meeting is whether the area will still be accessible to firefighters. The city plans a "bump curb" at the dead end so firetrucks can still drive to the dozen homes on Roswell Avenue.

Roughly 50 homes in the area would be affected by the proposed traffic change. During construction and before Roswell is turned into a dead-end street, city officials plan to make it a one-way street that does not enter Harrison.

The renovation of the V-shaped school will begin at the end of this school year and last about two years. "If I lived there, I'd sure be happy about us turning it into a cul-de-sac," said Safety Service Director Steven Neal. "Then, the only people driving on the street at night will be people who live there."

The top reason cited by the city for turning Roswell into a dead-end street is the traffic problems that would be caused by school buses entering that section of Harrison Avenue, where motorists have a blind spot.

The hearing will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday in council chambers, 3814 Harrison Ave.

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E-mail rforgrave@enquirer.com