The Southwest Warren County Transportation Study was undertaken to improve mobility and safety over the next 25 years for the fastest-growing area in the OKI region. The study area covers 100 square miles between two interstate corridors and includes a population of 96,000 that is projected to grow 64% by 2030.

The study recommends 19 transportation improvements, at a total cost of just over $300 million. Recommendations are ranked as high, medium, or low priority.

There are eight high priority projects, as listed below (the sequence has no significance). Project implementation depends on local or state agencies to secure the needed funds and take the initiative.

• Bethany Road – connect to Mason-Morrow-Millgrove Roads and widen to 3 lanes between Butler Warren Road and SR 48 (with right-of-way for 5 lanes)
• Waterstone Connector – extend Waterstone Drive across I-71 to connect with Duke Drive
• Columbia Road between Kings Mill and Mason-Morrow-Millgrove Roads – widen one lane in each direction
• Butler Warren Road between Barrett/Western Row and Bethany Roads – widen one lane each direction
• I-71 interchange at Fields Ertel and Mason Montgomery Roads – conduct a feasibility study to identify a comprehensive solution
• I-71 interchange at Western Row Road – expand to full interchange
• I-71 interchange at SR 741/Kings Mills Road – improve

The study was prepared with oversight from a 23-member Task Force and provided for extensive public involvement. The public involvement process included eight public meetings attended by over 650 residents, a website with over a quarter of a million hits, individual responses to scores of e-mails, and more than three dozen articles providing news coverage.

The study was completed in August 2005.

For more information, please contact Mr. Robert Koehler at (513) 619-7676.