“We’re going to have speakers and dedicate it to Jim Blount,” Fiehrer said, referring to the late Hamilton native and historian who focused on Hamilton and Butler County, and since his time as editor of the Journal-News advocated for the highway improvement. Blount also served on the Butler County Transportation Improvement District, which helped make the highway a reality.
“We chose (to hold it) early on a Saturday morning so it’s not so bloody hot,” Fiehrer said. “That’s going to be the big event where we have a lot of state and county and local officials there. And we don’t have a date yet, but maybe the road opens up, we’re going to have a ribbon-cutting ceremony.”
Fiehrer said the event will feature antique cars and fire trucks to commemorate the long span of time it has taken to get the project done.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony likely will held be a few days after the Aug. 11 dedication, she said.
The project broke ground in August 2016. Last summer, beams that serve as the decks for the overpass above the railroad were installed. The project’s completion deadline is Dec. 31. Costs will be an estimated $30 million.
The new roadway will offer a direct east/west link between Ohio 4 and University Boulevard, offering better access from that area to the Miami campus and nearby Vora Technology Park. It also will raise the profile of d0zens of acres available for development at the city-owned University Commerce Park.
About the Author