The consultant, Resource International, Inc. continues to evaluate the project alternatives and develop cost estimates for each. A stakeholders meeting will be held toward the end of June, at which the results of the alternative ranking process will be presented and a recommended alternate selected. The scope change presented by Resource at the May Board Meeting was approved by the TID Board and subsequently by the Liberty Township Trustees. A contract amendment to facilitate the additional work is being prepared.

A resolution authorizing execution of an LPA Agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation was tabled at the April 14, 2003 TID Board Meeting. Legal Counsel continues research on the applicable sections of state law and practice regarding financial responsibilities related to the right-of-way phase, prior to TID Board action. A draft project scope is in development for purposes of seeking consultant RFPs for the necessary environmental update and engineering work. Particular emphasis is placed on the early identification of utility intensity and location so that the amount of necessary utility relocation can be estimated. The scope will be shortly forwarded to ODOT for their review prior to advertisement.

An agreement has been reached among Liberty Township, the affected developers, the Butler County Department of Environmental Services, and the Butler County Engineer for the provision of the necessary funding to allow the TID to proceed with a contract amendment with LJB, Inc. to conclude the design for the SR 747/Princeton Road intersection. The cost was negotiated based on a proposal from the consulting engineer. Included within the improvement will be the extension of sanitary sewer service and a new 30" water transmission main that had been independently contemplated by BCDES. A detailed scope is under preparation so that with authorization by the TID Board at the June meeting, LJB, Inc. can begin work. Discussions are underway with the Butler County Engineer regarding potential partnering with the TID so that the Engineer could serve as the engineer-of-record for certification purposes as well as utility relocation issues.

TID staff anticipates activity toward initiating environmental analysis work for the entire Bypass 4 corridor. Based on cost estimates obtained by the TID, it appears that resources necessary to accomplish the work are available through both the City of Fairfield and the City of Hamilton-Fairfield Township JEDD, whose board has agreed to make the JEDD income stream available for this effort. A meeting of the parties involved will be scheduled shortly to conclude arrangements. The TID anticipates seeking consultant proposals shortly thereafter. This work will include the environmental analysis for the Bobmeyer Road Extension, and will also provide the necessary documentation to seek from ODOT permission to link the Extension to SR4 Bypass.