The consultant continues to work on the Interchange Justification Study and the other requirements of Steps 6 and 7. The 2030 No-build certified traffic has been received from ODOT, allowing Resource to wrap up work on the IJS, which is scheduled to be completed and forwarded to ODOT for review and comment the week of May 17. Resource is assembling items for the Step 6 submittal, Assessment of Feasible Alternatives, which is also scheduled for submittal the week of May 17. Resource is awaiting comment on previously submitted preliminary typical sections for Cox Road and Hamilton-Mason Road from the Butler County Engineer’s Office, and are completing Stage One design for Phase A (Cox Road, due for May 17^th submission) and Phase B (Hamilton-Mason Road, due for May 31^st submission). The preliminary layout of the interchange is being modified to incorporate requirements for the Collector/Distributor Interchange and the results from the IJS. This layout will be submitted as a part of the Step 7 package.

One aspect of the interchange design is the impact on the existing Butler County Department of Environmental Services Liberty-Union Water Storage Tank, located in the vicinity of the proposed Hamilton-Mason Road ramp to Southbound I-75. A second meeting was held with BCDES and the Butler County Engineer April 21 to review a revised schematic of the interchange ramp configuration in the southwest quadrant. While the ramps would be immediately adjacent to the existing water storage tower, with less clearance than would be permitted for construction of a new tank, BCDES expressed that they may be able to accommodate the construction in this case, and retain use of the existing tank. Revision of the ramp configuration would add an additional $100,000 to the project cost, but it would eliminate the need for a replacement tank. ODOT approval for this concept will be sought at the time of the IJS submittal.

The geotechnical subconsultant firm BBC&M will complete the subsurface investigation report in approximately ten days. This soils report needs to be submitted to ODOT with the Stage 1 plans in order to evaluate the need for special subgrade treatment, review of the retaining wall type and design. As soon as the report is complete, Stage 1 plans will be submitted to ODOT for their review and comment. Certified traffic figures have been received from ODOT. Preliminary plans were submitted to all affected utilities for mark-up. Plans have been returned by BCDES, Cinergy gas, Cinergy electric, and Cincinnati Bell.

LJB, Inc. is proceeding with the intersection redesign plans. Right-of-way plans have been delivered to the Butler County Engineer’s Office, for action leading to the acquisition of strip parcels for the project. TID staff is proceeding with whole-take property acquisition. One property has closed. Agreements have been reached with the remaining three property owners, and title searches are due May 5. Agreement has been reached with the BCDES for the Van Gordon Property, which is necessary to complete the property transaction with one of the SR747 property owners.

The consultant, M-E Companies, has completed the Red Flag Summary and forwarded it April 16, prepared a draft of the Purpose and Need Statement, completed the first newsletter to the project stakeholders and the public, and submitted the traffic data to ODOT for certification. The consultant has also assisted in development of the TRAC application, due to ODOT by May 7. The TID Board passed a motion expediting this project at their April 23 Special Meeting, and Bypass 4 coordination meetings were held April 23, 27 and May 4 to advance the project. Resolutions of financial support totaling $10 million were passed by the governing bodies of the Cities of Fairfield and Hamilton, Fairfield Township, and Butler County. Economic impact data was compiled for the TRAC application by the Butler County economic development staff.

No recent activity has taken place on this proposal.