The Enquirer

Traffic congestion grew in Greater Cincinnati in 2002 and commuters lost two more hours a year to delays, according to a new national survey.

In the 85 biggest U.S. cities, including Cincinnati, snarled traffic is costing travelers 3.5 billion hours a year, up from 700 million two decades ago, according to the Texas Transportation Institute's annual Urban Mobility Report released Tuesday. The annual hours of delay locally rose to 38 hours a year in 2002, the survey said. That's average for large cities, including Columbus and Cleveland.

In 1982, Cincinnati commuters spent four hours a year on traffic delays. The institute based its report in information from the federal and state governments.

Stock-options tax hearing scheduled

Cincinnati City Council's Finance Committee will hold a public hearing Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. to discuss a proposal to apply the city's 2.1 percent earnings tax to stock options.

The city's earnings tax is levied on those who live and work in Cincinnati. But local corporate executives are not taxed for exercising stock options. Councilman Christopher Smitherman, who introduced the proposal, said the tax would be applied only to stock options that are exercised. Smitherman estimates the move would raise an additional $3 million a year.

Taft site to host Constitution Week

Visitors to the William Howard Taft National Historic Site can celebrate National Constitution Week by signing a replica of the U.S. Constitution from Sept. 15 through 21. A giant parchment replica of the document will be displayed at the boyhood home of Taft, 2038 Auburn Ave. Taft was the 27th president and the 10th chief justice of the United States. Hamilton County Court of Appeals Judge Mark Painter will speak about the importance of the Constitution at 11 a.m. Sept. 17. The site is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 684-3262.

TRAFFIC WATCH

• Crews will be working downtown on Vine Street between Central Parkway and McMicken Avenue from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m., and on Fifth Street between Walnut and Elm streets from 6 to 11 p.m. through Sept. 20.

• Clough Pike is closed at Bruns Lane in Anderson Township for approximately one month.

• Windsor Drive in Hamilton is closed between both ends of Piccadilly Drive through Friday.

• The Trenton-Franklin Road bridge in Madison Township, Butler County, is closed for replacement. The new bridge is slated for completion in early January.

CONTACT US

To report news, call our tip line at 768-8651.