The project involves construction of a single-lane roundabout with curb and gutter, lighting, and storm sewers. Additionally, a multi-use path for pedestrian and bicycle traffic will be constructed along the north side of the new roundabout, connecting to an existing path at nearby Beckett Ridge Boulevard.
RELATED: Butler County to spend $26 million on road improvements in 2018
Construction Date versus Closure Date
While construction begins Tuesday, the intersection won’t officially close until March 5 after a temporary access road has been built to enable residents of the Beckett Meadows Condominiums to enter and exit their complex.
“In order to build the roundabout it will be necessary to close all four legs of the intersection,” said Butler County Engineer Greg Wilkens. “This includes the private Beckett Meadows Drive which is the only official access to this neighborhood. So, Spring Valley Court will be temporarily extended out to Smith Road to allow residents continuous access during construction. Once this temporary road is built we will be able to close the Beckett/Smith intersection.”
More Roundabouts and Busy 2018 Construction Season
Wilkens noted “with this project we will build our 15th modern roundabout, but numbers 16 and 17 are also coming this year. These figures don’t include city roundabouts or small neighborhood traffic circles by the way. The Engineer’s Office also plans to construct roundabouts this year at Hamilton Mason Road and LeSourdsville West Chester Road as well as at the Yankee/Millikin Road intersection. It’s going to be another busy construction season in Butler County. Motorists will want to follow our web site for traffic, detour, and construction updates. As always, we appreciate everyone’s patience.”
MORE: Safety crews prepared to navigate around road work
A construction contract for the Beckett at Smith roundabout was awarded to Ford Development Corporation of Cincinnati which submitted the lowest qualifying bid at $996,090. Funding will consist of a federal grant and West Chester Twp. tax increment financing (TIF) money. The project is scheduled for completion by mid-June, weather permitting.
Beckett/Smith Road Closing and Maintenance of Traffic
Construction will begin Tuesday; however, the intersection won’t close until Monday, March 5 after a temporary access road has been built to allow access to the Beckett Meadows Condominium complex. Effective March 5, all legs of the Beckett Road/Smith Road intersection, including the private Beckett Meadows Drive, will close for the roundabout construction.
During this closure, local access will be maintained for residents, businesses, and emergency vehicles up to the project limits, but motorists will not be permitted to pass through the actual construction zone. Detours will be posted for all through traffic.
The intersection is tentatively scheduled to reopen the week of June 11, 2018.
Detour for Beckett Road: Northbound Beckett Road traffic will detour west on Union Centre Boulevard, north on Ohio 747, and east on Tylersville Road to Beckett. Southbound traffic will reverse this route.
Detour for Smith Road: All Smith Road traffic will be detoured west on Smith to Ohio 747.
Detour for Beckett Meadows Drive: Private Beckett Meadows Drive will be closed at the Beckett Road/Smith Road intersection. Residents of Beckett Meadows Condominiums will be required to enter and exit via a temporary extension of Spring Valley Court to Smith Road.
Note about Beckett Ridge Boulevard: The Beckett Ridge Boulevard intersection at Beckett Road will remain open during construction; however, Beckett Road will only be accessible to the southeast.
Motorists are encouraged to check the BCEO web site as the best source for possible date and status changes concerning this project – www.bceo.org/roadclosings .
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