HAMILTON, Ohio -- Drivers in the Butler County seat can expect continued traffic congestion from multiple road construction projects extending through next year.
Construction recently wrapped up at the intersection of High Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in downtown Hamilton, but three other projects are underway around the city.
Work is in the final construction phase on the South Hamilton Crossing, which will extend Grand Boulevard and replace the at-grade Central Avenue railroad crossing (meaning the tracks and road are at the same level) with an overpass.
"It's a real hindrance to east-west traffic," said Rich Engle, engineer and director of public works for the city of Hamilton.
All other railroad crossings in Hamilton except one are at-grade.
Roadways are under construction on either side of the overpass, and bridge beams are scheduled to be delivered later this month.
The $32 million project is being managed on behalf of the city by the Butler County Transportation Improvement District.
"It's more than just a city project," said David Spinney, executive director of the Butler County Transportation Improvement District. "It's a regional project."
That doesn't mean Hamilton officials haven't been involved. City officials have helped coordinate the project, especially related to utility work.
"We needed the city to be extremely involved in the construction project," Spinney said.
City officials also worked with partner agencies to secure the project's funding. Of the cost, about $18 million is being covered through grants.
"The city has been very aggressive in obtaining and getting approval for some of these grants," Engle said.
The city is paying the remaining cost.
Once complete, Grand Boulevard will extend west to University Boulevard.
The project will increase access to Miami University's Hamilton campusand Vora Technology Park. The additional artery into the city is expected to alleviate some traffic congestion on High Street, Engle said. It also will open up about 60 acres of adjacent land for potential development.
Construction on South Hamilton Crossing is expected to be complete by mid-summer 2018.
The railroad overpass is one of three bridge construction projects taking place in Hamilton. Rehabilitation projects are underway on Witt Way Bridge and Columbia Bridge. The work on Witt Way Bridge includes replacing curb, sidewalk, railing and asphalt. Decorative vandal-proof fencing will be added to the bridge as well.
The fencing is an Ohio Department of Transportation precautionary requirement for bridges over other roadways.
The city will pay $161,000 for the fencing, while ODOT will cover the remaining $154,000 cost of the project.
The Columbia Bridge project includes replacing curb, sidewalk and railing as well as removing and resurfacing the bridge deck. The project also will add curb ramps to bring the bridge's sidewalks up to current ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) standards.
ODOT, which is managing both bridge rehabilitation projects, is covering the entire $1.62 million for the work on Columbia Bridge.
The closure of two of the Columbia Bridge's six lanes since March has had a severe impact on traffic crossing the bridge, Engle said.
"Reducing six lanes to four lanes during peak travel times has been very problematic for us," he said.
There's no long-term impact anticipated on traffic on either of the bridges. However, officials expect the repairs to help them last longer.
"It's just going to give a longer lifespan to the existing structures," said Brian Cunningham, communications manager for ODOT District 8.
The projects could also reduce the need for maintenance on the bridges, he said.
Construction is expected to be complete on both bridges in October.
