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Project Information

PROJECT INFORMATION
 
OVERVIEW 
The I-75 Thru the Valley project began in May of 2004 and involves the widening and reconstruction of I-75 from Paddock Road (on the south) to I-275 (on the north). The goals of this project are to improve safety and ease congestion on I-75, increase regional mobility, and provide transportation solutions that are compatible with local land use plans.
 
BACKGROUND 
In 2000, the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI) and the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC) cooperated in a regional multi-modal transportation plan named the North South Transportation Initiative (NSTI).
 
The NSTI’s focus was to determine ways to improve safety, efficiency and reliability of the transportation networks within Southwest Ohio, Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana. The result of the NSTI was a preferred program of improvement projects. The I-75 Thru the Valley project was determined to be one of the most critical projects on the list. As a result, this project was slated as a top priority. Work began on this project in May 2004.
 
SPONSOR 
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) through their District 8 office is the project sponsor. The project team consists of ODOT Central Office, ODOT District 8 and the consultant team.
 
PROJECT PHASING & SCHEDULE 
In 2009, the I-75 Thru the Valley project was split into eight (8) phases due to rising inflation and other costs. Phases 1 and 2 include portions along I-75 from Shepherd Lane to Glendale-Milford Road and construction for these phases are currently funded. Phase 1 is programmed as HAM-75-12.60 (PID: 82288), while Phase 2 is listed as HAM-75-GE Parkway (PID: 88135). Phases 3 and 4 are now programmed but funding for construction is not currently available. The remaining phases of the project are not currently funded for construction. However, final design, right of way acquisition and construction will proceed as funding becomes available.
 
Click Here for a PDF showing a graphic of the construction phasing, schedule and estimated costs.
 
WHAT SECTION OF I-75 IS BEING STUDIED?
The Thru the Valley project area begins at mile post 10.10 near the Paddock Road intersection in the City of Cincinnati and continues for approximately 7.3 miles to the I-275 Interchange.
 
ARE OTHER SECTIONS OF I-75 BEING STUDIED?
Yes! Two separate studies, the I-75 Mill Creek Expressway project and the I-71/75 Brent Spence Bridge project, were also stemmed from the original NSTI recommendations. The I-75 Mill Creek Expressway project lies south of the Thru the Valley project from the Western Hills Viaduct to Paddock Road, The goals of this project are to improve traffic flow, improve safety and minimize adjacent impacts. The I-71/75 Brent Spence Bridge project is located between Dixie Highway (in Kentucky) and the Western Hills Viaduct. The goals of this project are to improve traffic flow, improve safety, correct geometric deficiencies and maintain connections to key regional and national transportation corridors. Links to these projects’ websites are shown below:
I-75 Millcreek Expressway
Brent Spence Bridge

 
WHY IS THIS PROJECT NECESSARY?
This project is necessary to ease congestion and improve safety on I-75, increase area mobility and develop solutions compatible with local communities.
 
WHAT WILL THIS PROJECT PRODUCE?
This project will identify, assess and analyze the transportation problems, evaluate alternative solutions, and recommend a preferred alternative, which will be implemented.
 
WHEN WILL THE RECOMMENDED IMPROVEMENTS BE CONSTRUCTED?
Construction for Phases 1 and 2 may begin in 2014, while construction dates for the remaining phases of the project are to be determined. Click Here for a PDF showing a graphic of the construction phasing schedule.  
 
WILL ANY PROPERTY BE ACQUIRED TO CONSTRUCT THE RECOMMENDED IMPROVEMENTS?
Some of the recommendations will require the acquisition of property. Owners of land needed for transportation improvements will be notified early in the process, and fair market value will be paid for any property that is acquired. For more information about the Right-of-Way process visit ODOT’s Office of Real Estate website at http://www.dot.state.oh.us/real/ and click on frequently asked questions.
 
WILL THE PUBLIC HAVE INPUT TO THE PROJECT?
Yes! Public input has been on-going with five (5) public meetings and over 60 stakeholder meetings since 2004. Hundreds of comments, questions and suggestions have been collected, answered and responded to in regard to the project and the selection of a preferred alternative. Additional public input will continue to be received by the project team.
 
WHERE DOES THE MONEY COME FROM FOR THE PROJECT?
These funds were secured through the Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) and ODOT's Bridge and Pavement Funds. The TRAC consists of nine members and has the authority to select new construction projects, to modify the selection process and to hear appeals from the public concerning Major/New projects and the project selection process. To learn more about the TRAC visit their website at http://www.dot.state.oh.us/trac/.
 
ARE THERE PLANS TO MAKE EASIER ACCESS TO I-75?
The recommended alternative includes changes to access points along the corridor allowing for safer and more reliable highway access.
 
WILL THERE BE IMPACTS ON TRAFFIC DURING CONSTRUCTION?
Yes. Traffic will be disrupted with temporary lane closures, and restrictions, though improvements will be designed with the attempt to minimize construction impacts. Every attempt will be made to maintain three lanes of traffic in each direction throughout the duration of construction.
 
HOW MANY LANES WILL BE ADDED TO I-75?
Four lanes will be added to I-75 with an additional fifth auxiliary lane where warranted.
 
GLOSSARY
Technical terminology and abbreviations can be found in the Glossary of Terms
Last Updated: 01/23/2014 08:04:43