Yes, the Eastern Corridor project still exists. Here are the phases and what they could do

Roundabouts and flyovers, signal timing and curve straightening are among a bevy of traffic management ideas that could be on display at upcoming open houses for several segments of the Eastern Corridor project.

Transportation improvement plans for segments I, II and III will be the focus of three open houses in October. This isn't the first time improvement plans have been rolled out for this region.

Several years ago the original Eastern Corridor plans were scrapped after facing heavy opposition from Madisonville and the villages of Newtown and Mariemont.

Plans originally proposed rerouting a part of Ohio 32 around Newtown and through historic land in Mariemont. After significant opposition, the state dropped these plans in 2015 and committed itself to minor congestion-relief improvements to Ohio 32 through Newtown and U.S. 50 in Mariemont.

Advisory committees made up of individuals living in the areas and traffic experts worked on the different solutions that will be presented at the upcoming open houses.

"We've been working very closely with a group of five advisory committees, comprised of local elected officials, transportation planning professionals, and community and interest group representatives for nearly a year to identify and evaluate workable solutions to address transportation needs," said Tom Arnold, planning engineer and Eastern Corridor segments II and III project manager for the Ohio Department of Transportation District 8.

Segment I open house

The focus of the first open house is segment I, the Red Bank Corridor. It will be held 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, at the Madisonville Recreation Center, 5320 Stewart Road.

Red Bank Corridor extends from U.S. 50 (Columbia Parkway) in Fairfax and the Interstate-71 ramp in Madisonville. To date, ODOT has completed one project in this segment, the Duck Creek Connector.

Plans and environmental study results expected to be on display at the open house are for:

• Reconstruction of “old” Red Bank Road and Hetzel Street
• Extension of Babson Place to Red Bank Expressway
• Mainline improvements to Red Bank Expressway
• Accommodations for bicyclists and pedestrians.

After completion of the study efforts, ODOT will release plans for the Red Bank Corridor components to Cincinnati for funding and construction.

Segments II, III open houses

The following week open houses will be held for segments II and III, the middle section of the Eastern Corridor project, which extends between the Red Bank Corridor and the Interstate-275/Ohio 32 interchange and includes U.S. 50, Ohio 32 and the village of Newtown.

Generally, they looked at intersection improvements in this area, according to ODOT spokesman Brian Cunningham. He declined to talk specifics but said the proposed improvements do not necessarily mandate the addition of turn lanes, roundabouts or other road work. Some proposed changes are as simple as adjustments to traffic lights, he said.

The meetings are:

• 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24, at Miami Valley Christian Academy, 6830 School St., in Newtown
• 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, at the R.G. Cribbet Recreation Center, 5903 Hawthorne Ave., in Fairfax.

Planning process partners

Portions of segments II and III extend through Anderson Township. All three township trustees and township administrators have participated in the planning process which indicates its importance, according to township Assistant Administrator for Operations Steve Sievers.

"As this is a planning process, recommendations coming from such work would certainly be considered in future township plans, as we imagine they would for other communities, ODOT, Hamilton County and other entities in our region, who could help to advance such improvements,” he said.

Where to send comments

No formal presentations will be made at the open houses. ODOT project team members will be on hand to discuss the various concepts and answer questions. The deadline for submitting comments is Nov. 25.

Comments can be submitted by: email to EasternCorridor@EasternCooridor.org; through the Submit Feedback tool on the Eastern Corridor website, EasternCorridor.org; or mailed to Tom Arnold, ODOT District 8, 505 S. SR 741, Lebanon, Ohio 45036.