CINCINNATI -- Exit ramp construction projects completed in late 2015 have improved traffic flow near Fields Ertel Road, but the impact on local businesses is uncertain.
Prior to the construction, northbound I-71 featured a single ramp at Exit 19, with two left-turn lanes providing drivers access to both northbound Mason-Montgomery Road and Fields Ertel Road. Drivers now can take the original ramp or the new ramp, which exits onto northbound Mason-Montgomery, bypassing the Fields Ertel traffic.
The exit from southbound I-71 onto Mason Montgomery saw changes as well, with the addition of a new right turn lane. Traffic planners also recently made adjustments to traffic signal timing in the area.
“The traffic’s better,” said Kenny Luk, manager of Grand Oriental Chinese Restaurant. “The flow is better.”
Tracy Morgan, who co-owns Balance Café & Smoothies with her husband, said the recent projects have cut driving time through the area nearly in half.
“It has definitely gone through a lot smoother,” she said.
While it’s difficult to determine whether it’s the result of the road improvements or other contributing factors, Morgan has noticed an increase in business over the past year.
“I’m not sure if I would say it’s more the weather, or if it’s more the traffic, but since they have accomplished this in the last year, there definitely is more walk-ins and things like that, as far as foot traffic goes,” she said.
The ramp updates and changes to traffic signal timing are two of many projects planned by the engineer’s offices in Warren and Hamilton counties, as part of the Advancing Fields Ertel initiative.
The projects are intended to ease traffic congestion and improve safety in the area and mostly target problem areas on and near Fields Ertel and Mason-Montgomery. Some upcoming projects include the addition of a roundabout at the intersection of Fields Ertel and Columbia Road and widening Mason-Montgomery near Socialville Fosters Road.
“It is such a dynamic area,” said Warren County engineer Neil Tunison. “We want to make sure all the businesses can thrive.”
The initiative also includes current and upcoming work around Western Row Road, which is part of a coordinated regional program.
Although traffic studies have shown improvement as a result of Advancing Fields Ertel projects, traffic congestion is still an issue.
“It’s a very busy area,” said Brigitte Ellert Poettker, salon owner and managing cosmetologist for Brigitte’s Design Studios.
“I feel like Mason-Montgomery moves pretty fast, but I feel like once you get on Fields Ertel, there are so many businesses through there, you get caught light after light.”
The Advancing Fields Ertel projects, most of which are slated to be complete by mid-2018, may offset the traffic volume, but that doesn’t guarantee an end to congestion in the area.
“It won’t be a cure-all,” Tunison said. “It will make it less congested.”
While Luk shares Morgan’s sentiment that it’s hard to say whether current and future construction will impact business, he said customers currently seem undeterred by the heavy traffic.
“They come here anyway,” he said. “They don’t care, you know, because they have to go anywhere, there’s still traffic jams. If not here, Hyde Park or Tri-County area.”
Interchange improvements at Western Row Road -- expected to be complete in 2019 -- are the only construction currently on the horizon beyond 2018. However, engineers are developing plans for a new exit ramp from I-71 south onto Mason-Montgomery, which could extend Advancing Fields Ertel work through at least 2022.
“We’re constantly looking at how we can make improvements,” Tunison said.
