Historic preservation review beginning for SR 32 relocation

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has initiated the Section 106 Historic Preservation Review process for the State Route 32 relocation, part of the $1.4 billion Eastern Corridor multi-modal transportation project.

Section 106, part of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, requires federal agencies to consider the effects of their projects on sensitive historic and archaeological resources.

As part of the relocation, a new four-lane, limited access roadway would be constructed from the U.S. 50/Red Bank Road interchange to just west of the I-275 Eastgate exit.

One proposal routes the roadway through a portion of Mariemont referred to as the South 80, where last year University of Cincinnati archaeology assistant professor Ken Tankersley discovered the remnants of a Native American village that dates to the Fort Ancient culture. He has also discovered what he believes to be a 2,952-foot-long serpent mound, which would make it the largest prehistoric earthwork of its kind in the United States.

In addition to impacts to the Village of Mariemont, which is a National Historic Landmark, effects could be seen in Anderson Township and the villages of Newtown and Fairfax.

Consulting party applications are now available for organizations and individuals who wish to assist with the Section 106 review.

The estimated $366 million road project is currently in the environmental engineering phase. Last month, ODOT's Transportation Review Advisory Council pledged $3.6 million for preliminary engineering in fiscal year 2014.

Previous reading on BC:
Kennedy Heights bike lanes in limbo (12/21/12)
TRAC accepts 2014-2017 draft for road projects, accepting public comment (12/21/12)
Open houses for East Side commuter rail study begin tonight (4/5/11)
Streetcar tentatively awarded $15M, other projects recommended (3/22/10)
Qualls submits OKI 2030 recommendations (1/8/08)