Public Hearing Summary I-75 Mill Creek Expressway HAM-75-2.30 PID # 76257
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Public Hearing Summary I-75 Mill Creek Expressway HAM-75-2.30 PID # 76257 Prepared for: Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) March 9, 2009 EXPERIENCE | Transportation Public Hearing Summary A Public Hearing for the Environmental Assessment (EA) was held on February 10, 2009, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the St. Bernard Municipal Building. Representatives from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) District 8, ODOT Central Office, ODOT Real Estate Southwest Region, and TranSystems Corporation were available to answer project-specific questions and to address comments concerning the I-75 Mill Creek Expressway project. There were 186 people who signed the provided sign- in sheet at the entrance, including 167 members of the public, 16 public officials/employees, and 3 members of the media. The announcement of the Public Hearing from January 26, 2009 and February 2, 2009 Cincinnati Enquirer can be found in Appendix A, and other newspaper or online media articles are located in Appendix B . The hearing was held in an “open house” style and no formal presentations were made, allowing the visitors to peruse the exhibits and past documents at their leisure. Exhibits included two sets of mounted boards displaying the Preferred Alignment. Maps, drawings, and other pertinent information, including the Environmental Assessment and previous project documents, were available for public inspection. A court stenographer was also present to record verbal comments. A list of each written comment received before, during, and after the hearing is located in the table that follows. Responses from the project team are listed after each comment. Copies of the comments are provided in Appendix C . Comments received before, during, and after the February 10, 2009 Public Hearing Comment Response Cincinnati Preservation Association is pleased that there will According to the Noise Analysis Report, with the level of noise be no adverse effects to historic properties, and that only reduction that this barrier wall would provide, the noise barrier minor property impacts are expected to 3 of these properties. wall would meet the ODOT feasibility criterion. The State We do question the need, however, for a sound wall in front of Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) accepted on June 2, 2008 one of the subway tunnel portals, and whether this might that there was No Adverse Effect to the subway tunnel portals. constitute an unnecessary impact. I commute to the Mt Auburn/Clifton area from Middleton for my work. There is currently a large construction down to I-275 and the I-275 interchange. Traffic is already terrible. Since I exit at the Norwood lateral, I understand the need to improve I- The comment has been noted. 75 in this area. I would ask that this project be delayed until the other 2 construction projects are completed. Starting this project on top of the other two will potentially make the southbound commute in the mornings even worse. Thanks for your past attention to our issues. It is possible to The comment has been noted . The amount of top soil to be preserve more top soil for the Mt. Storm replanting? Could preserved was discussed with and agreed to by the Cincinnati you please send us future updates about the amount of Park Board. The project team will continue to coordinate with material you will remove from the park? Park Staff in the development of the landscaping plan. Install sound walls on Central Pkwy side of the I -75 near intersection of Clifton Hills Ave. to dampen sound for The Noise Analysis did not warrant a noise wall in this area. Concordia Church and school, Cincinnati State, and nearby Clifton residences. 1 HAM -75 -2.30 I -75 Mill Creek Expressway – Public Hearing Summary Comment Response As a resident of Spring Grove Village (formerly Winton Place), I use Mitchell Ave, Kenard Ave & the Mitchell Ave exits #6 quite frequently. Two things jumped out at me. 1) The South bound ramp to Mitchell (a continuous lane) causes many accidents. Drivers either stop (not yield) in order The proposed layout of the interchange at Mitchell Avenue to cut across 2 lanes of traffic to get into the far left lane in should alleviate the existing backups that occur on eastbound order to turn left onto Kenard. Or they do not stop at all. Mitchell to the northbound I-75 on ramp. Traffic continuing on 2) From Mitchell turning left to NB 75 there are 2 lanes that go Mitchell should not be blocked by backups in the left turn lane. straight and one that is a left turn lane. There is not enough width between the left turn lane and the "middle" lane to allow the continuous flow of traffic going straight on Mitchell to Vine St. The I -75 Mill Creek Expressway project will not preclude the development of any future light rail or other fixed guide way Why not Light Rail - Stop I-75 - Why do the construction on I- transit. A transit alignment study was done by the project 75 before we know where the new I-75 bridge is going to be? team. Roadway improvements as a part of the I-75 Mill Creek Expressway will not hinder the development of the Brent Spence Bridge project. I like the redesign of the Hopple street interchange, the only problem is that it leaves the mainline of North I-75 at 3 lanes Based upon the high volume of traffic (opening and design from the new location of the I-74 exit ramp to when the end of year) exiting to and entering from I-74, three lanes were ramp from I-74 comes on to N I-75. This will create a sufficient to handle the opening and design year traffic on this bottleneck of 3/4 mile on N I-75. Therefore I wish that the segment of I-75. original Hopple St Design would be considered. Place is much better because Mt. Storm Park is more intact. Need sign improvement at I-75/275 North & South. I'll be glad The comment has been noted. to discuss this with interested persons. Please send me aerial view of Paddock Rd interchange abating Paddock/Seymour Ave. Extremely informative & Information was provided to this individual. representative answered all questions presented to her - and understood about new interchange at Paddock Rd. The roadway that was part of the plan for the Cumminsville area I feel should be named "Cincinnati Ave" or boulevard, since there is not a street with this name currently. As far as The comment has been noted. St. Bernard is concerned, expanding to the north side of the roadway is preferable. We don’t want to lose any parkland or homes. I live on W McMicken near the w estern hills viaduct. I'm interested in the plans for that interchange as it relates to I-75, noise abatement (c-walls/trees etc.) and its impact on the The comment has been noted. residents of my neighborhood. One suggestion is to reinstate the ban on trucks not stopping in town, making use of 275 mandatory. Thank you. Tony The only solution is a Dayton, OH Cinc OH NKY Reason one. Only delays Gridlock without inclusion of a 5- OH county 3- state (tax supported) mass transit and a North/South bypass that makes sense to long haul trucking & auto traffic. (Plus The comment has been noted. incentives for Rail transport to replace long distance trucking from north of Dayton OH to south of the i-71/i_75 split in Kentucky this amounts to a band aid that will come unstuck before its completion date. 2 HAM -75 -2.30 I -75 Mill Creek Expressway – Public Hearing Summary Comment Response Thanks to ODOT & the consultant team for the work completed to date. Please get this project constructed as soon The comment has been noted. as possible. It will be a tremendous benefit to our region. The existing partial interchange serves a low traffic volume Why are you taking away exits that prove beneficial when and interferes with the effective, safe operation of the Norwood there are wrecks or backups? For example Towne Street and Lateral interchange. The closure of Towne will be necessary Central Parkway. The developers need to drive the current under any improvement scenario for Norwood Lateral. This roads during rush hour, sun delays, and radar times. Lack of safety improvement also was recommended by the NSTI exits prevents drivers from having alternate routes. Let us not study. Additional information is available in the Conceptual have another Galbraith Road fiasco. Alternatives Solutions Report and the Assessment of Feasible Alternatives Report. Keep Towne Street exit and entrance. See previous response. I’m writing about the closing of the on and off ramp to 75 north. Elmwood needs these ramps for businesses and the people of See previous response. Elmwood Place. Although t his is primarily an interstate highway project it is important to accommodate bicyclists and pedestrian travel through the interchanges. This is the policy for both the state and federal transportation departments and the federal highway funding may be used for any related improvements including sidewalks, bike lanes, and related trails. The Western Hills and Hopple Street interchanges are of particular importance for bicycle traffic between the Uptown activities All current bike and pedestrian connections or pathways are and the western parts of Cincinnati and Spring Grove Avenue, being replaced in the same location or in close proximity and important N-S bicycling route. Bike lanes, wide curb lanes throughout the project. All of the bike and pedestrian or shared lane markings should be included in the roads impacts/improvements are listed within the Community crossing through these interchanges.