Hamilton is changing a sharp-angles intersection, and it wants public input

Construction to improve Hamilton’s intersection with Main Street, McKinley Avenue, Western Avenue, Haldimand Avenue and Cereal Avenue is scheduled to start in 2020, with a goal of improving safety for vehicles and pedestrians. PROVIDED

Construction to improve Hamilton’s intersection with Main Street, McKinley Avenue, Western Avenue, Haldimand Avenue and Cereal Avenue is scheduled to start in 2020, with a goal of improving safety for vehicles and pedestrians. PROVIDED

Hamilton next year plans to start construction of the complicated multi-street intersection of Main Street, McKinley Avenue, Western Avenue, Haldimand Avenue and Cereal Avenue, and a public meeting will be held this afternoon to discuss the intersection improvement and to take feedback about the plans.

The meeting will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. at Highland Elementary School, 1125 Main St. It will be an open-house format, allowing people to attend at any time during the gathering. People will be able to view exhibits and ask questions of the project team.

Representatives from the city, Ohio Department of Transportation and engineering consultants will be there. No formal presentation will be offered.

The primary aim of the project is to improve safety for vehicles and pedestrians. Rather than meeting at sharp angles, the streets will meet at 90-degree angles, which makes it easier for drivers to see traffic on other streets of the intersection. The estimated $3.2 million project should be finished in mid-2021. Because safety is a major factor, the state is paying 90 percent of the project’s costs.

A traffic signal will be replaced, sidewalks will be provided at all approaches, improved signage and lighting will be added, storm sewers will be reconstructed, and gas and water lines will be relocated.

Construction crews currently are working on similar improvements where Main Street meets Millville and Eaton Avenue, including squaring off the intersection to 90 degrees for safety and improved traffic flow.

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