By Dave Hofmeister
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Question: My problem concerns Metro buses stopping on Paddock Road in front of the Metro garage there.

For some reason, every #78 or #45 bus stops in front while the driver goes inside for whatever reason. Although it is clearly posted as a no standing or parking zone, the drivers seem to think they are exempt.

Besides the inconvenience to riders, this presents a dangerous situation for motorists, especially during rush hour when cars heading north on Paddock must suddenly switch lanes to get around, and then get back over quickly to head east on the Norwood Lateral. I have witnessed several near-misses in front of the station. Why is it necessary for these buses to stop on the street like that?

Richard Wuest, Bond Hill

Answer: Sallie Hilvers, spokeswoman for Metro, said there have been no major incidents related to Metro buses at the marked bus stop in front of the Bond Hill operating division.

"This location is used to park briefly for drivers' restroom breaks and to switch drivers. It has been an optional relief point for Metro since the 1980s when the division opened; we do not require all Route 45 and Route 78 buses to stop there."

She noted that the location is designated a "no parking" area because it is a recognized bus stop, which Metro buses can legally use.

"As you can imagine, there are few locations along our routes that can be used for restroom breaks. Also, from a taxpayer perspective, it is more efficient and cost-effective to use this location to change drivers at the end of a work shift than to transport drivers to a remote location to make the switch," Hilvers said.

Question: It is most difficult to make a left turn from Beechmont Avenue onto Nordyke Road during rush hour. There are left-turn signals at Eight Mile Road and Beechmont, and at Hopper Hill Road and Beechmont. The question is, why not one at Nordyke and Beechmont? There are times when you have to wait through two or three light changes before a left turn can be made safely.

Kenneth R. Yockey, Union Township, Clermont County

Answer: There is good news about this stretch of Beechmont Avenue (known as Ohio Pike in Clermont County).

Ron Mosby, spokesman for the Ohio Department of Transportation, said the Nordyke-Beechmont intersection is one of several that will be improved this year along Ohio 125. As part of that project, a left turn arrow will be installed at Nordyke. The work has begun and should be completed by October.

Question: Are there any plans to add turn lights and/or turn lanes at the intersection of Loveland-Madeira and Remington Roads? The intersection is heavily traveled and is tricky because the roads intersect at a diagonal instead of at a right angle. Not only is there a long wait, the intersection is extremely dangerous. After almost getting hit at this intersection twice yesterday, I thought it was time to write.

Cathy Holmes, Loveland

Answer: You'll be relieved to know preliminary work has begun to improve this intersection.

County Engineer William Brayshaw said left-turn lanes will be built in all four directions at the intersection, and new traffic lights will be installed.

Preliminary work should be finished this year, with right of way acquisition planned in 2005.

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Have a question? E-mail it to Dave Hofmeister at dhofmeister@enquirer.com or send it to The Cincinnati Enquirer, 7700 Service Center Drive, West Chester, OH 45069.