Infrastructure

North Hamilton Crossing

Preliminary work, such as planning and input gathering, began in 2021 for a new infrastructure project called North Hamilton Crossing (NHX), one of many solutions to rising local concerns about traffic. The project refers to a large-scale transportation development that will connect the West Side of Hamilton to Route 4, State Route 129, and US 127. The project will likely include a new bridge across the Great Miami River, some form of railroad bypass, and possibly a 4-lane boulevard with speed limits up to 45 MPH. It would be only the third East-West corridor where traffic would not be hindered by trains, a major contributor to congestion.

It is estimated that construction for the project is 5-7 years away, and could take up to 10 years for total completion. Cost estimates range anywhere from $75 million to $175 million, depending on the route. The city is seeking multiple grants to help fund the project, which could also further extend the timeline.

Currently the project is under the “Planning” and “Preliminary Engineering” stages, the first and second of a total of five phases. As part of the planning phase, initial public output in the form of a general questionnaire was conducted online in the fall of 2021. There was also one official meeting held in 2021, with nearly 50 stakeholders. There will be two additional meetings in 2022 with the group before wider input sessions for the general public begin, in an effort to narrow down the number of potential routes under consideration.

A feasibility study will be finished late summer of 2022, and a final preferred route will likely be selected by the end of 2022. Once the feasibility study is complete, the city will move into detailed project design and “Environmental Engineering,” phase three of the project development. Feedback from the public will be a major guide in determining the new roadway’s route and the form it takes.

Smart Traffic Signals

Installation of the new smart traffic lights began in late 2021, and is expected to take two years for full completion. The new signals will eventually link all 97 traffic lights in the city to a single centralized computer that will be able to analyze traffic in real-time via a live video feed, and then make adjustments accordingly. The system will collect data about traffic patterns, make individual changes to each light, adjust for different times of day, preempt for emergency vehicles, enable planning for congestion causing events in advance, and more. The first lights were installed along High Street, Main Street, and MLK, and installation includes the addition of handicap curb ramps at intersections that currently lack them.

Beltline Trail

The Beltline is an in-progress three-mile walking and biking path on the West Side of Hamilton, following the former Champion Mill rail line. The trail passes through the neighborhoods of Armondale, Highland Park, and Prospect Hill, and is being completed in phases to maximize grant funding. Phase 1 was completed in Spring of 2021; a half-mile long segment linking Eaton Avenue, near Flubs, with Cleveland Avenue, near Jim Grimm Park. Construction also began on Phase 2; a 0.65 mile-long segment connecting Phase 1 at Cleveland Avenue with North B Street, near Spooky Nook. Design for Phase 3 also began in 2021; a 0.87 mile-long segment connecting Phase 2 to the High-Main bridge. The proximity of these first phases to Spooky Nook will increase access from the complex to West Side businesses such as Flubs, and Downtown businesses along High and Main Street.

Streets Levy

2021 was the first year that funds from the 2020 Streets Levy were put to use. Thirty-one total streets were repaired throughout the year, including several of the roads that were voted as part of the top 10 priorities by residents. Much of the work also included performing underground sewer maintenance concurrently, to maximize the value of each dollar spent.