Council to acquire property for Colerain-West Fork-Virginia improvements

City Council has voted unanimously to appropriate property for improvements to the Colerain-West Fork-Virginia intersection in Northside.

The $4.9 million project, which has support from the Northside Community Council, will impact ten properties, including two businesses.

Of particular note is a turn-of-the-century apartment building at the corner of Virginia and Chase avenues. That building, which is owned by an absentee outfit out of Miami, has been ordered vacant by the City and will likely continue to deteriorate until its inevitable demolition.

Intersection work will include:

* Wider lanes on the Colerain Avenue northbound approach
* An additional left-turn lane from Virginia Avenue
* New pavement, curbs and sidewalks
* New signals and lighting
* Improved storm drainage

The realignment will also allow West Fork Road and Virginia Avenue to share signal phasing instead of working independently of one another.

The City currently has $3.2 million in Federal Surface Transportation Program grants and is currently seeking Ohio Public Works Commission funds. The balance will be funded with City capital funds.

The intersection plan was identified as Priority 1 in the Transportation System Management plan, which was developed by ODOT, the City and the communities of Northside, College Hill and Mount Airy and approved by City Council in 2000.

Design of the I-74/I-75 interchange as part of the Mill Creek Expressway project had temporarily put the project on hold.

The project is expected to begin in spring 2009.

WINDOWS LIVE BIRD'S EYE VIEW
LABELLED GOOGLE AERIAL MAP: Appropriated parcels*


Portion of 1863 Chase Avenue, facing demolition

* Easements not included