With finding of no impact, $664M Mill Creek Expressway project advances

A Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) by the Federal Highway Administration has enabled the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to move forward with the $664 million I-75 Mill Creek Expressway project.

The finding comes after nearly five years of environmental and engineering analysis along the eight-mile portion of highway between the Western Hills Viaduct and the Paddock Road interchange.

The project includes the addition of one traffic lane in each direction and reconstruction of the interchanges at Hopple Street, I-74, Mitchell Avenue, the Norwood Lateral (OH-562), and Paddock Road.

The partial interchange at Towne Street will be eliminated.

According to an environmental assessment document released to the public in January, the preferred alternative would require the relocation of 22 residential and 15 commercial buildings and would impact seven parks, including Mt. Storm Park in Clifton.

Right-of-way acquisition for the Monmouth Street overpass ($6.5 million) began last year, and acquisition for the Mitchell Avenue interchange ($68 million) will begin later this month.

Construction is scheduled to begin at Monmouth Street next March, with the entire project being completed in May 2020.

Previous reading on BC:
I-75 environmental document now available (1/29/09)
Cincinnati council opposed to I-75/Hopple plans (7/2/08)
Qualls submits OKI 2030 recommendations (1/8/08)