WestChesterBuzz.com

As part of the U.S. 42 widening project, culvert work will require the closure of a portion of U.S. 42 next week, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.

The closure will be in place between Cox Road and Tylersville Road, just north of the entrances to the Pisgah Youth Park baseball fields, 9116 Columbus-Cincinnati Road, and the West Chester Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 9117 Columbus-Cincinnati Road.

The closure will begin Monday, June 11 and is scheduled to be completed by 5 p.m., Friday, June 15 with U.S. 42 reopened to traffic at this time.

Northbound U.S. 42 traffic will be detoured north to Cox Road to east on Tylersville Road to U.S. 42. Southbound traffic will be detoured west to Tylersville Road to south on Cox Road to U.S. 42.

Access to all addresses will be maintained with addresses north of 9117 Cincinnati-Columbus Road accessible from Tylersville Road and addresses south of and including 9117 accessible from Cox Road.

Arrow boards and/or signs will be in place prior to the work zone to alert motorists of the upcoming road closure. To help ensure the safety of the construction workers as well as the traveling public, motorists should remain alert, reduce their speed and watch for stopped traffic.

The completion date for the entire U.S. 42 project is June 2013. The project includes widening U.S. 42 to three lanes. The widening area will provide a through lane in each direction and a middle two-way left-turn lane, from Fields-Ertel Road north to Butler-Warren Road. It also includes left turn lanes on both approaches of Dimmick Road.

Crews hope to have all major items completed by Dec. 2012 with the exception of surface course asphalt, final striping and final grade/landscaping.

West Chester Township offers a monthly construction update meeting for property owners in the impacted area. The meetings are held the first Wednesday of the month at 7:30 a.m. in Township Hall, 9113 Cincinnati-Dayton Road. Updates are also available on the township’s website www.WestChesterOH.org. The next meeting will be held July 11 due to Independence Day falling on the first Wednesday of July.

Posted in: News |

Tags: Tags: construction, delays, Ohio Department of Transportation, railroad crossing, traffic, U.S. 42, U.S. 42 project, U.S. 42 West Chester, West Chester construction, West Chester delays, West Chester Road, West Chester Traffic

In order to replace a large culvert under the roadway, a portion of U.S. 42 in West Chester Township will be closed beginning Feb. 18. The work is scheduled to take 14 days, but could be completed sooner, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.

The closure will take place near the 8700 block of U.S. Route 42, between Butler-Warren and Cox roads. Access to all businesses and properties will be maintained throughout the closure.

An approved detour route will be posted that directs traffic north on Cox Road, east on Tylersville Road and southwest on U.S. Route 42. The route is reversed for those headed southwest on U.S. Route 42. The detour is an additional 1.29 miles.

The closure is part of ODOT’s $9.1 million project, which includes the widening of U.S. Route 42 to three lanes providing a through lane in each direction and a middle two-way left-turn lane from Fields-Ertel Road north to Butler-Warren Road.

The project, which is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2012, also includes the addition of left turn lanes on both approaches of Dimmick Road

The upcoming closure has presented challenges for businesses in the corridor, according to a press release from West Chester Township. However, the township does not have direct control over the construction process and will continue to work closely with ODOT.

Posted in: News, Traffic |

Tags: Tags: Cox Road, Cox Road West Chester, Tylersville Road, Tylersville Road West Chester, U.S. 42, U.S. 42 project, U.S. 42 West Chester, West Chester Traffic, West Chester traffic delays

Work on two light towers Wednesday will require lane closures on southbound Interstate 75, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.

The first job, which will involve crews erecting a light tower, will take place between Hamilton-Mason Road and Tylersville Road (mile marker 23) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday. During the job, the left lane will be closed.

That night, while workers repair a different light tower, the right lane just before the ramp to Galbraith Road (mile marker 11) will be closed from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Law enforcement officers will be used for traffic control during each closure. Lighting contractor American Lighting & Signalization will be performing the work.

Arrow boards and signs will be in place prior to the work zone to alert motorists of the upcoming road closure.

To help ensure the safety of the construction workers as well as the traveling public, motorists should remain alert, reduce their speed and watch for stopped traffic while passing through the work zone.

For additional information on lane and road closures caused by construction, accidents or other related traffic events, visit www.BuckeyeTraffic.org.

U.S. 42 closure: Culvert replacement will require closing U.S. 42 between Cox Road and Tylersville Road from Feb. 18 to March 2, according to ODOT. The closure will be approximately 475 feet north of Manors Drive.

The posted detour for northbound U.S. 42 traffic will be north (left) on Cox Road to east (right) on Tylersville Road, back to U.S. 42. The detour for southbound U.S. 42 traffic will be the same in reverse. The detour is an additional 1.29 miles.

Posted in: News |

Tags: Tags: Cox Road, Cox Road West Chester, I-75, I-75 construction, I-75 lane closures, I-75 work, Interstate 75, Ohio Department of Transportation, Tylersville Road, Tylersville Road at I-75, Tylersville Road West Chester, U.S. 42, U.S. 42 project, U.S. 42 West Chester, West Chester Traffic, West Chester traffic delays

To let West Chester and Liberty Township residents catch up with the news that they need to know, WestChesterBuzz.com will list and link to all of last week’s top local stories every Monday morning. (Stories are listed in order of date)

Lakota preschool program could be merged: During last Monday’s school board meeting, Lakota officials discussed merging its preschool program with county programs. The proposed joint venture with Butler County Educational Service Center (ESC) would save about $1.2 million of the target $9 million in savings Lakota officials have said is needed for next school year. The merger would affect 288 preschool students and would eliminate 17 classroom jobs for the 2012-2013 school year.

AK Steel executive to retire: Last Monday, West Chester based AK Steel announced that its long-time spokesman Alan H. McCoy, vice president, government and public relations, has elected to retire effective January 31. McCoy was named general manager, public relations for AK Steel in 1994. He is currently a director of the Ohio Steel Council and also serves as a trustee of Ursuline Academy.

West Chester’s IKEA activates solar energy system: The IKEA in West Chester is now powering its lights, operating its cash registers and cooking its Swedish meatballs using a solar energy system that is located on the store’s rooftop. Heather Spatz, West Chester’s IKEA store manager, officially announced the activation of the solar energy system last Tuesday. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the amount of clean electricity produced by 4,186 solar panels atop the IKEA building is equivalent to eliminating the yearly emissions of 180 passenger cars.

Road projects to affect Cincinnati-Dayton Road, Ohio 129 and U.S. 42: Last Tuesday, The Butler County Engineer’s Office announced that it is planning to improve Cincinnati-Dayton Road at the Ohio 129 interchange in Liberty Township. The project, which is slated for construction in 2014, is currently in the preliminary engineering phase with environmental studies and early design plans under way. The $2.5 million project is geared to improving traffic safety and flow in the area. Meanwhile, the Ohio Department of Transportation announced last Tuesday that culvert replacement will require closing U.S. 42 between Cox Road and Tylersville Road from Feb. 18 to March 2.

Lakota West falls to Fairfield in battle for 2nd in GMC: After handing Middletown its first conference loss Jan. 20, Lakota West hosted Fairfield last Tuesday in a basketball game between two programs tied for second place in the Greater Miami Conference. The Firebirds jumped out to an early lead, but fell behind and eventually lost 70-59. Lakota West did rebound with a win last Friday when it defeated Colerain by the score 77-71 in overtime. The Firebirds are currently in a three-way tie for third in the GMC.

West Chester cop David Busemeyer pleads guilty to felonies, quits job: A police officer pleaded guilty to two felony charges, then resigned from his job last Wednesday. David Busemeyer, who was accused of alerting a drug dealer to an undercover bust, admitted to attempted tampering with evidence and obstructing official business. In exchange for his plea in Butler County Common Pleas Court, a charge of obstructing justice was dismissed. Busemeyer also was accused of revealing the identity of a confidential informant in the case. After the plea, Busemeyer tendered his resignation from the job he had held since August 2002. He faces a maximum prison term of two and a half years, but could be granted probation at sentencing March 8.

Two killed in West Chester crash: Police found two people dead Saturday morning in a car that crashed into two parked semi tractor-trailers at a distribution warehouse at 9842 International Blvd. Police determined that the victims were traveling northbound on International Boulevard in a Honda Civic when it veered off the road, passed through a parking lot, hit two trees, encountered a berm and became airborne. When the car landed, it went under one tractor-trailer, sheering off the car’s top. The car then became wedged under a second tractor-trailer. The names of the victims have not been released.

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Tags: Tags: AK Steel, AK Steel West Chester, Alan H. McCoy, Alan McCoy, Barbara Wilson, Butler County Engineer’s Office, Cincinnati-Dayton Road, Cincinnati-Dayton Road Liberty Township, Cox Road, Cox Road West Chester, David Busemeyer, IKEA, IKEA Cincinnati, IKEA photos, IKEA solar photos, IKEA solar power, IKEA solar power Cincinnati, IKEA solar power West Chester, IKEA West Chester, Lakota, Lakota cuts, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota preschool, Lakota preschool program, Lakota reductions, Lakota school levy, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Last week in West Chester, Liberty Township construction, Ohio 129, Ohio 129 Liberty Township, Tylersville Road, Tylersville Road West Chester, U.S. 42, U.S. 42 project, U.S. 42 West Chester, West Chester accident, West Chester Police Officer David Busemeyer, West Chester Traffic, West Chester traffic delays

Culvert replacement will require closing U.S. 42 between Cox Road and Tylersville Road from Feb. 18 to March 2, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation. The closure will be approximately 475 feet north of Manors Drive.

The posted detour for northbound U.S. 42 traffic will be north (left) on Cox Road to east (right) on Tylersville Road, back to U.S. 42. The detour for southbound U.S. 42 traffic will be the same in reverse. The detour is an additional 1.29 miles.

Arrow boards and signs will be in place prior to the work zone to alert motorists of the upcoming road closure.

To help ensure the safety of the construction workers as well as the traveling public, motorists should remain alert, reduce their speed and watch for stopped traffic while passing through the work zone.

For additional information on lane and road closures caused by construction, accidents or other related traffic events, visit www.BuckeyeTraffic.org.

Posted in: News, Traffic |

Tags: Tags: Cox Road, Cox Road West Chester, Tylersville Road, Tylersville Road West Chester, U.S. 42, U.S. 42 project, U.S. 42 West Chester, West Chester Traffic, West Chester traffic delays

According to a press release from West Chester Township, the U.S. 42 widening project remains on schedule. The completion date for the entire project is June 2013.

Currently, all subcontractors are progressing northward with the curb placement and the asphalt placement between Dimmick Road and West Chester Road.

It is still the goal of Ohio Department of Transportation and the contractors to complete this part of the project before Dec. 1.

Over the winter months, crews will address drainage on the east side between Fields-Ertel and West Chester Road, and on the north end of the project from West Chester Road to Butler Warren.

A very tentative look ahead to 2012/2013 is to have all major items completed by Dec. 2012 with the exception of surface course asphalt, final striping and final grade/landscaping.

Weather conditions will impact schedule.

While the construction continues, businesses on U.S. 42 will remain open.

West Chester Township offers a monthly construction update meeting for property owners in the impacted area. The meetings are held the first Wednesday of the month at 7:30 a.m. in Township Hall, 9113 Cincinnati-Dayton Road. Updates are also available on the township’s website www.WestChesterOH.org.

Water main work on West Chester Road: Butler County has begun work to replace a water main on West Chester Road between John Road and Barret Road. Traffic on West Chester Road is being maintained throughout the project, with the exception of an anticipated one-day closure to complete the project. The replacement project will take approximately 90 days, weather permitting.

Accident cleared up: Allen Road between Union Centre and Muhlhauser road re-opened around noon Monday after a traffic accident caused damage to a utility pole.

Posted in: News, Traffic |

Tags: Tags: construction, delays, Ohio Department of Transportation, railroad crossing, traffic, U.S. 42, U.S. 42 project, U.S. 42 West Chester, West Chester construction, West Chester delays, West Chester Road, West Chester Traffic

According to a release from West Chester Township. construction crews working on The Ohio Department of Transportation project to widen U.S. Route 42 through West Chester are pushing ahead to complete as much paving work as possible before winter weather arrives.

The project, which is scheduled to be compete in June of 2013, includes widening U.S. 42 to three lanes. The widening area will provide a through lane in each direction and a middle two-way left-turn lane, from Fields-Ertel Road north to Butler-Warren Road.

The project also includes left turn lanes on both approaches of Dimmick Road.

According to ODOT, crews working on a handful of drainage structures between Dimmick and West Chester roads and will also be progressing north completing tie-ins to the water service this week. This work is being done an effort to install curbs and asphalt between Fields-Ertel and West Chester Road before Dec. 1.

Through the winter months, crews will be working on drainage features and the remaining ties-ins to the water service.

While the construction continues, businesses on U.S. 42 remain open.

West Chester Township offers a monthly construction update meeting for property owners in the impacted area. The meetings are held the first Wednesday of the month at 7:30 a.m. in Township Hall, 9113 Cincinnati-Dayton Road. Updates are also available on the Township’s website www.WestChesterOH.org.

Posted in: News, Traffic |

Tags: Tags: construction, delays, Ohio Department of Transportation, railroad crossing, traffic, U.S. 42, U.S. 42 project, West Chester Road

Work will officially begin the week of April 4 on the project that will widen U.S. 42 to three lanes to provide a through lane in each direction and a middle two-way left-turn lane from the Hamilton County line to the Warren County line.

On Feb. 17, the project was awarded Fechko Excavating Inc. for $8,256,240. The original sale date for the project was deferred from late January to Feb. 10. The sale was pushed back again due to a discrepancy of the estimated cost between bidders and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT).

On the Feb. 10 deferred date, the lowest bidder estimated the cost of the project to be 13 percent more than the state’s estimate. The highest bidder estimated the costs to be more than 53 percent than the state’s estimate.

Typically, when the lowest bid is more than seven percent greater than the state estimate the Contact Administration of the Ohio Department of Transportation has to meet about it.

Previously, ODOT estimated the cost of the project to be roughly $9.1 million. That estimate, however, includes the cost of the construction inspection and engineering, water line work for Butler County Water and Sewer and tree removal.

This project includes the addition of a center turn lane along the entire length of U.S. 42 from Windwood Drive to Butler Warren Road, the construction of left turn lanes on both legs of Dimmick Road, and the construction of cross walks and updated traffic signals at the intersections with Dimmick Road and West Chester Road. In addition, water line relocation work will be performed.

Work will begin with the construction of temporary pavement on the east side of U.S. 42. Upon completion, traffic will be switched to the east side, with construction of new pavement on the west side to follow. Two lanes of traffic are to be maintained through the course of the project.

During construction, access to all residential and commercial properties is to be maintained at all times.

To help ensure the safety of the construction workers as well as the traveling public, motorists should remain alert, reduce their speed and watch for stopped traffic while passing through the work zone.

Anticipated completion date of this project is August 2012.

Posted in: Government, News |

Tags: Tags: ODOT, Ohio Department of Transportation, U.S. 42, U.S. 42 project

The project that will widen U.S. 42 to three lanes to provide a through lane in each direction and a middle two-way left-turn lane from the Hamilton County line to the Warren County line was officially awarded to Fechko Excavating Inc. on Feb. 17 for $8.256,240. The sale date for the U.S. 42 project had been deferred from late January to Feb. 10. On the February sale date, there was a discrepancy of the estimated cost between bidders and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), which caused a further delay of the sale.

On the Feb. 10 deferred date, the lowest bidder estimated the cost of the project to be 13 percent more than the state’s estimate. The highest bidder estimated the costs to be more than 53 percent than the state’s estimate.

Typically, when the lowest bid is more than seven percent greater than the state estimate the Contact Administration of the Ohio Department of Transportation has to meet about it.

Previously, ODOT estimated the cost of the project to be roughly $9.1 million. That estimate, however, includes the cost of the construction inspection and engineering, water line work for Butler County Water and Sewer and tree removal, which has already begun.

Now that the project has been sold, ODOT will meet with Fechko’s manager and inspector for a pre-construction meeting. The meeting itself is expected to take place soon, officials say.

Furthermore, ODOT officials believe that the construction plan should be in line with the previous work scope.

The previous work scope showed that the project was scheduled to begin in late March or in early April and would be completed in the fall of 2012.

The widening project is exciting for West Chester residents, who use the road. After the project is completed, there will be lanes for left turns. This will enable drivers to turn, while others can continue down the road without a long wait.

When the project begins all lanes of traffic will be open for commuters from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

During the day, workers will likely be on U.S. 42 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. There will also be a noise restriction period from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. with exception to water line shutoffs.

This construction information could change, however, after the pre-construction meeting takes place.

Posted in: Government, News |

Tags: Tags: Butler County Water and Sewer, ODOT, Ohio Department of Transportation, U.S. 42, U.S. 42 project

The project that will widen U.S. 42 to three lanes went to sale yesterday, Feb. 10, however a discrepancy of the estimated cost between the bidders and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) could cause for another sale date to be determined.

Previously, the project that will provide U.S. 42 with a through lane in each direction and a middle two-way left-turn lane from the Hamilton County line to the Warren County line was scheduled to sell Jan. 27. However, the sale date was later deferred to Feb. 10.

When it went to sale yesterday, the lowest bidder estimated the cost of the project to 13 percent more than the state’s estimate. The highest bidder estimated the costs to more than 53 percent than the state’s estimate.

“Any time a bid is more than seven percent over the state estimate, there is a meeting to figure out what to do,” Ohio Department of Transportation Public Information Specialist Elizabeth Lyons said. “With this much of a discrepancy the Contract Administration of Ohio Department of Transportation will have to meet about.”

ODOT previously estimated the cost of the project to be roughly $9.1 million. That estimate, however, includes the cost of the construction inspection and engineering, water line work for Butler County Water and Sewer and tree removal, which has already begun.

Lyons expects the discussion to be held soon. If a decision is made soon, there shouldn’t be any impact to the current work scope. (more…)

Posted in: Government, News |

Tags: Tags: Butler County Water and Sewer, Elizabeth Lyons, ODOT, Ohio Department of Transportation, U.S. 42, U.S. 42 project