Work planned at busy intersection
State wants public comment on safety work set for the Ohio 48-Ohio 725 juncture near Interstate 675.
CENTERVILLE — The city plans to improve traffic safety at a busy intersection that’s part of a business corridor near Interstate 675 and Kettering’s border.
The state, meanwhile, is seeking public feedback to see how the proposed changes at Ohio 48 and Ohio 725, or Alex-Bell Road, would impact the area.
Centerville plans to“fully reconstruct” traffic signals at the intersection near Cross Pointe Shopping Center.
It’s a crossroads that nearly 34,000vehicles use daily on average andwhere nearly 100 wrecks have been recorded in a threeyear period, Ohio Department of Transportation records show.
City officials said the work set for next fall is part of an effort to make traffic flow more securely in a popular commercial district near a growing residential area.
“Centerville’s five-year strategic plan directs us to improve the built environment to better manage public infrastructure and maintainourcommunityidentity,” CityManagerWayne Davis said in a statement released by the city.
“CrossPointeistrulyacommercial destination with all the elements to drive success: location, accessibility and visibility,” he added.
The work is expected to take 10 months, according to ODOT. Traffic on both roads will be maintained, but lane closures or shifts will be required, state records show.
From 2017 to 2019, 99 crashes were recorded, with 23 resulting in injuries, according toODOT. Rear-end wrecks accounted for more than half of the crashes.
A federal safety grant will cover 86% of the cost, which is about $496,318, according to the city.
A key aspect of the work will be the installation of a “permissive” left turn signal — or flashing yellow light — that will give “drivers more
opportunities to make left turns when safe,” said Kate Bostdorff, Centerville’scommunications director.
Left turns are required for Ohio 48 northbound drivers astheyapproachtheintersection seeking to access southboundI-675. EastboundAlexBell drivers must also turn left toward Kettering to get
on the northbound ramp of that interstate.
Within a mile of the intersection are two nearly complete apartmentcomplexes— AllureApartments and GatewayLofts— addingmorethan 660 units to a long- established neighborhood south of Cross Pointe.
“They chose to build here because of the outstanding location, and the city is invested in improving connectivity,” Davis said.
The state is seeking information on how the project would impact local residents, air quality, the local economy and historic or cultural resources, according to ODOT.
Comments should be submitted by Jan. 1 to Tricia Bishop at 937-497-6721 or at Tricia.Bishop@dot.ohio.gov.