| History
of the Michael A. Fox Highway |
1959
|
When
construction began on I-75 in Butler County, Hamilton and Butler
County officials petitioned the State to locate an interchange at
Princeton Road (Ohio 129) for direct access to Hamilton. No interchange
was built at that location. |
December
1968
|
In
November 1968, voters approved an Ohio highway bond issue (Issue
1). Hamilton City Council informed the State that a connection to
the interstate system was Hamilton's top priority when the new state
funding was available. Butler County Commissioners joined Hamilton
leaders in the appeal to the State in December. |
April
29, 1970
|
The
project was announced by Governor James A. Rhodes at a conference
in Butler County. Rhodes said construction would begin in 2 1/2years,
and the entire project would cost $28.6 million. Rhodes predicted
that "the proposed interstate spur will open vast industrial areas
in Butler and Warren counties." |
May
1972
|
Public
hearing held on proposed corridor in Warren and Butler counties.
Environmental Impact Studies (EIS) were conducted in the mid-1970s. |
1972
|
The
corridor for the Michael A. Fox Highway was journalized by the Butler
County Engineer. Cost estimate was $34.7 million for the entire
project. |
1979
|
To
demonstrate area concern, local and county governments (Butler and
Warren counties) contributed funds toward preliminary engineering
when the lack of state funds threatened to kill the project. |
May
12, 1981
|
Contract
awarded to KZF to complete EIS. Federal Funds accounted for 75 percent
and local funds accounted for 25 percent. (Local costs were shared
by Butler County, Warren County and the City of Hamilton.) |
May
1988
|
Decision
made to terminate the project at I-75. Revisions were made to EIS
regarding traffic. City of Hamilton and Butler County agreed to
continue study using 100 percent local funds. |
1988-1990
|
Revisions
to Federal guidelines regarding Wetlands, Sole Source Aquifers,
Archaeological Sites, and Hazardous Waste required revisions to
all above-mentioned studies. |
June
30, 1993
|
The
Ohio General Assembly established the Transportation Improvement
District program under House Bill 154 and Ohio revised Code Section
5540.02. |
September
1993
|
Public
hearing held on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. |
December
7, 1993
|
Butler
County Commissioners authorized creation of the Butler County TID.
|
October
18, 1994
|
Final
Environmental Impact Statement, which recommended the relocation
alternative (instead of the upgrade to existing State Route 129),
was approved by the Federal Highway Administration. A record of
decision was issued on March 27, 1995. The Michael A. Fox Highway
is the first innovative financing project approved by the Federal
Highway Administration in the nation. |
September
1995
|
Butler
County TID assumed control of engineering design contracts and expedited
both the detail design and the acquisition of the right-of-way.
|
| September
15, 1996 |
TID
receives first SIB loan in the nation for $10 million. |
| October
11, 1996 |
The
Ohio Department of Transportation and the TID signs the lease agreement
for the Michael A. Fox Highway. Under this lease agreement, ODOT
agreed to pay for the construction costs of the highway, and the
TID agreed to maintain the highway for 20 years and complete much-needed
improvements to local roads. The improvements included the construction
of the Union Centre Interchange, the widening of State Route 747,
and the extension and widening of Muhlhauser Road. |
January
15, 1997
|
TID
receives the second SIB loan in the nation for $10 million. |
May
29, 1997
|
TID
receives its third SIB loan for $15 million. |
| June
1997 |
Construction
began on Liberty Towne Centre, a portion of the Cincinnati-Dayton
Road interchange. |
| October
30, 1997 |
The
sale of $158.5 million in Butler County Transportation Improvement
District Highway Improvement Bonds, Series 1997-A, was authorized
by the TID Board of Trustees. The bond issuance will pay for the
construction of the Michael A. Fox Highway. |
November
6, 1997
|
The
TID is the first entity in the nation to repay SIB loans. |
December
1997
|
TID
receives 401 water quality certification permit from OEPA. |
January
1998
|
TID
received 404 permit from Army Corps of Engineers. EIS Reevaluation
approved by the Federal Highway Administration. |
February
20, 1998
|
Pre-bid
meeting held for contractors. |
April
24, 1998
|
Construction
bids were opened. |
| May
4, 1998 |
Kokosing
Construction was awarded the contract for the Michael A. Fox Highway,
and M.E. Companies and Resource International joined the construction
team. |
May
15, 1998
|
Groundbreaking
celebration for the Michael A. Fox Highway. And the TID Board of
Trustees passed a resolution authorizing the study of tolls to pay
for the TID's obligations outlined in the lease agreement with ODOT. |
| August
17, 1998 |
The
TID Board of Trustees passed a resolution to place tolls on the
Michael A. Fox Highway to pay for the TID's obligations outlined
in the lease agreement with ODOT |
| June
14, 1999 |
The
TID announced a new agreement with ODOT which removes tolls from
the Michael A. Fox Highway. Under the new agreement, ODOT agrees
to maintain the highway and relinquish the TID of its obligations. |
| December
13, 1999 |
The
TID opens the Michael A. Fox Highway from I-75 to Hamilton |
