Interchange opens

The $40 million full-access interchange system at Interstate 71 and Western Row Road opened on Tuesday in Mason.

City of Mason and transportation officials from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Warren County celebrated the opening of ramps open to the public at 3 p.m. Tuesday.

ODOT officials managed the interchange construction work, while the Warren County Transportation Improvement District (WCTID) and the City of Mason managed local roadway network improvements to support the new interstate access.

Originally opened as a partial interchange in 1972 to accommodate increased traffic to Kings Island, the interchange was first designed for traffic exiting I-71 north and entering I-71 south.

The new ramps complete the interchange with both on and off access to and from north and southbound I-71.

Construction of improvements to the Western Row/I-71 interchange and surrounding area began in 2014.

The City of Mason managed the widening of Kings Island Drive and the WCTID oversaw the relocation of the Western Row and Columbia Road intersection and the widening of Innovation Way, as well as the addition of the roundabout on Socialville-Fosters Road and the new Duke Boulevard extension.

The biggest change for drivers will be the new northbound access to I-71 (traveling from both east and westbound Western Row Road) and the new southbound access both on and off I-71 to and from Innovation Way.

For more information, call 513933-6517 or email Brian.Cunningham@dot.ohio.gov. CONTRIBUTED