By Erica Solvig
The Cincinnati Enquirer

MASON - Construction at the intersection of Western Row and Snider roads will start this summer, but the work schedule is taking into account the traffic to the nearby elementary school.

City Council this week approved a $5.48 million contract with the John R. Jurgensen Co. of Sharonville.

Warren County commissioners earlier this year approved Mason's annexation of about 11 acres at the intersection from Deerfield Township so this improvement project could happen. The yearlong construction includes adding turn lanes, replacing the bridge and railroad crossing on Western Row Road and improving the intersection of Western Row and U.S. 42.

Work on the east leg of the intersection, where Western Row Elementary School is located, cannot begin before June 7.

"The final day of school will be Friday. This is a Monday when he can begin construction," City Engineer Richard Fair said. "The contractor has to get this bridge replaced and the road finished there in that area for school to start in August. After that is done, it's up to the contractor to decide which leg of the intersection he wants to do next, depending on his schedule and depending on his work forces."

Plans also call for a bike path and sidewalks. City Councilwoman Charlene Pelfrey said the paths were a good idea, but asked if the city was "just wasting our money" because they will not connect to anything.

Fair says a connection is planned in the "near future," when additional work is done to Western Row.

The Warren County engineer will reimburse the city for $175,000, or half of the bridge cost, and Greater Cincinnati Water Works will be paying about $850,000 for water main improvements included in the project.

E-mail esolvig@enquirer.com