“These projects improve mobility and safety for drivers, transit riders, cyclists and pedestrians. What’s more, they enhance quality of life,” said T.C. Rogers, OKI president and a Butler County commissioner.
The funds were allocated to Ohio and Kentucky projects through two federal programs: the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) program and the Transportation Alternatives (TA) program. While the local jurisdictions were awarded the federal funding, they still need to come up with their local match - typically about 20 percent of the costs of their projects, according to Ashley Patrick, OKI spokeswoman.
Two projects receiving more than $9.85 million in STBG funding are in Liberty Twp. and in Middletown.
The Liberty Twp. project was awarded more than $5.66 million for the second phase of the Ohio 129/Liberty Way modification project that would construct new ramps from Ohio 129 to Cox Road. The project also includes a new roundabout at Cox Road and the removal of nearby Ohio 129 connections to Liberty Way to eliminate weaving issues motorists currently experience.
The latest award would be the next step in the multi-phase project that is projected to cost between $30 million and $40 million and is slated to start in 2021, according to Butler County officials.
The Middletown project was awarded more than $4.18 million for the reconstruction and improvements on Central Avenue between Verity Parkway and University Boulevard. The project will include street reconstruction with upgraded pavement, curb, storm sewer and pedestrian lighting as well as left turn lanes, street calming and bike racks.
“The City is thrilled to have this project selected,” said Scott Tadych, city public works and utilities director. “Beyond improving the aging infrastructure, this project will support economic growth and redevelopment envisioned by the community.”
Tadych said the total project cost is estimated at nearly $6.78 million. Project construction is scheduled to begin in fiscal year 2022. He said the project will improve and enhance the primary east-west downtown corridor and be a significant step forward in implementing the city’s new Downtown Master Plan.
He said the project will upgrade aging infrastructure by replacing pavement, curb, and water main; upgrading existing street and pedestrian lighting; rehabilitating the existing combined sewer; providing new storm sewer including sustainable storm water management green infrastructure; and providing other functional streetscape amenities consistent with the city’s Downtown Master Plan. The project will also include new signal installations, updated signal timing, and left turn lanes on Central Avenue at the existing signalized intersections with Verity Parkway.
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Local projects receiving TA funding include:
Butler County:
MetroParks Miami-to-Miami multi-use path from Bypass Ohio 4 to Bilstein Boulevard was awarded $750,000. The multi-use trail will connect the western end of the existing Miami and Erie Canal to an existing trail head at Bilstein Park.
Hamilton:
Miami-to-Miami multi-use path from the Canal Cultural Trail at Bilstein Park to Gilmore Road was awarded $510,064. The project is for the construction of the east-west connection of the trails.
Monroe:
Great Miami River Trail, Monroe section project was awarded $650,000 to construct a 10-foot multi-use path along the Great Miami River from the Monroe Bicentennial Commons Park to the city’s northern corporate limits.
Oxford:
The Oxford Area Trail Network West Side Connector project was awarded $750,000 to construct a multi-use trail from Talawanda Middle School to Oxford Community Park.
West Chester Twp.:
The Smith Road Connector Trail was awarded $435,055 to construct a multi-use path connecting the roundabout at Smith and Beckett roads to the existing trail on Smith Road, just west of Princeton-Glendale Road.
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