Warren County project to improve access to I-71

Motorists travelling through southwest Warren County have encountered a number of road closures and detours as several major improvement projects continue.

Some of these road construction projects are being phased in through 2020 to improve access to Interstate 71 as well as several roads through Mason and Deerfield Twp.

Here as some updates on the various projects:

• The Kings Island Drive project that started last summer is on schedule to be completed by Dec. 31, according to a recent memo to Mason City Council from City Engineer Kurt Seiler.

The $6.5 million curb work, bike path and signal work have been completed. The contractor is working on the irrigation in the medians, completing the lighting and electrical work as well as setting the mast arms for overhead signage, according to the memo. Once the median landscaping is complete, paving will begin.

• The current traffic configuration surrounding the first phase of the Western Row Road Interchange will remain in place through the winter, according to Warren County officials. The project started in June and is on schedule for a November 2017 completion.

The $12.5 million relocation of Columbia Road from Western Row Road is designed to better support traffic flow and improve the northbound ramp from Interstate 71.

“Things are moving pretty well,” said Warren County Engineer Neil Tunison. “The biggest part of the project is done. The next phase is to pave the new section of Columbia Road and widen Western Row Road, but we are waiting for some utilities to be relocated.”

Tunison said when that happens, the old part of Columbia Road between the I-71 off ramp and a shopping plaza will be removed and the new section of Columbia will tie-in to the rest of the road going south to Socialville-Fosters Road. He said that will not be completed until next year and after the new Socialville-Fosters Road bridge reopens later this year.

In addition, there will be auxiliary lanes built on I-71 between Western Row Road and Ohio 741, which are designed to help to decrease congestion between the exits.

Once all of the improvements are completed, there will be two northbound on ramps for northbound I-71 from east and west Western Row Road and an off ramp for southbound I-71 which will tie into Innovation Way. In addition, there will be other infrastructure improvements such as new sidewalks and other shared use paths in that area, according to officials.

Tunison said total cost to build the interchange improvement project is about $32 million.

The Socialville-Foster Bridge and Innovation Way Roundabout is a Warren County project that has had tremendous impact on area intersections, especially Western Row Road and Kings Island Drive, according to Seiler's memo.

As of Sept. 8, the roundabout has been completed with the exception of the final course of pavement. The widening on the east side of the bridge is complete and the bridge, which closed March 14, is scheduled to open between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Tunison estimated the project’s cost at $6.4 million.

Officials say once this project is completed, it should alleviate the traffic congestion on Western Row Road/Columbia Road and Kings Island Drive intersection.

Bill Becker, Deerfield Twp. administrator, said he’s been pleased with how these major projects are progressing.

“It’s a busy area with lots of traffic,” he said. “Anytime this can be improved is much appreciated by the township and the residents.”

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