Trustees discussed the issue Tuesday night and directed staff to prepare the necessary paperwork. They are expected to vote Sept. 21.

It's a significant step in a process that started in the mid-1990s after a state environmental study showed there was a need to widen U.S. 22/Ohio 3, known as Montgomery Road. The project, which calls for the road to be widened in both Hamilton and Warren counties, will cost more than $50 million.

While the state is funding the majority of that cost, Symmes Township as well as Warren and Hamilton counties are part of the project along with Deerfield Township. A 20 percent local match is necessary to secure state funding, Deerfield Township Administrator Greg Horwedel said.

"In many ways, it functions as an auxiliary road to Interstate 71," Horwedel said. "We're seeing a tremendous increase of traffic on that road over the last two to three years. It's imperative that we widen it so we don't get gridlock."

Montgomery Road carries about 30,000 cars a day and improvements have been listed by the state as a high priority.

The five-year construction project is expected to begin in 2006.

Most parts of the road will become five lanes. Other parts will be only two or three lanes with turn lanes at key intersections.

---

E-mail esolvig@enquirer.com