Village Mariemont Connector Next Steps: Should We Modify the Miami Road Intersection?

By Matt Ayer

In the October Town Crier, we described the newly completed Phase 1 of the Mariemont Connector (from Miami Road to the Library). A Q&A concerning that new path segment is also available on the main page of the Village website, www.mariemont. org

For background, last year the Village commissioned an independent, third-party study by experienced engineers to recommend a preferred route for a shared use path through Mariemont. Village Council and its engineer tasked the consultants to consider every and any possible alignment. The former transportation corridor (now utility corridor) was the clear choice among survey respondents, recommended by the engineers, and selected by Village Council. The path will be built on Village property; no right-of-way acquisition is needed.

The newly completed segment runs from Miami Road to behind the Library where ODOT will connect, in a fully funded project under final design. Then the path will connect to the Little Miami Scenic Trail, the Lunken Airport loop, and points beyond.

The next step in Mariemont’s planning process is to evaluate what, if any, modifications the Village should pursue for the Miami Road intersection at and near where the path will cross. We have an opportunity to simplify this intersection, its traffic flow and patterns. The present “design” (or more accurately, lack thereof) dates to when a traction railway ran east-west through Mariemont. Builders fit homes and streets around the railway, in some cases in a tightfitting, congested manner. Should we make intersection improvements now while we are planning the path?

The photo above presents the current intersection condition. Miami Road is intersected in five places in a somewhat convoluted manner – Lytle Woods, two spurs from “Short” Murray, Indianview, and Rembold.

Areas of Potential Improvement

One recognized concern is that cars coming southbound on Miami but cutting through Madison Place for eastern destinations have an easy 45-degree transition onto Short Murray, often observed by residents at undesirable speeds for this quiet, narrow street. This intersection could be modified to a 90-degree turn to calm traffic.

The Village and public also have concerns beyond the intersection, more specifically about cut-through traffic that utilizes Short Murray/Rowan Hill to bypass downtown Mariemont. Traffic counts indicate an average of 75 vehicles per hour on this roadway during the peak hour. Village officials see these volumes, combined with the 90-degree curve at Rowan Hill, cars parked on the street, delivery trucks, lack of sidewalks and of rightof-way to add sidewalks, pedestrians in the street, and the narrowness of the street (20feet wide), as a liability and potential safety matter for the residents on Murray Avenue and Rowan Hill. It would be desirable in this congested area to reduce or eliminate cutthrough traffic.

Additionally, drivers turning right from northbound Indianview onto Miami have an awkward angle, needing to turn their head approximately 135 degrees to check for oncoming traffic. This turn could be normalized to something closer to 90 degrees. This improvement would also serve as a traffic calming measure.

Another traffic calming measure could be employed for cars driving straight up or down Miami. The traffic engineers selected a road-narrowing approach in this area, but other possibilities include a “bump-out,” a raised crosswalk, and others.

Access to and from Miami via Rembold could also be eliminated to improve safety at the crosswalk.

Mariemont commissioned the traffic engineers from Choice One Engineering to present multiple concepts that address these concerns. The report also provides traffic count information for each street and its turns. Choice One also considered whether a stop sign would be justified on Miami Road at or near the path crossing.

We Want to Hear From You!

Mariemont Council’s Safety Committee is tasked with making a recommendation to the full Council and seeks resident input as to what option would be best for Mariemont. The Committee established the following principles at its public meeting on September 27, 2024:

1. The primary objective is SAFETY –for path users, pedestrians, cyclists, and for drivers – at the intersection and associated streets/traffic.

2. A PREFERRED OPTION has not been suggested. There are no “leading candidates.” The evaluation involves public engagement in a transparent, stepwise manner. Suggestions are encouraged and will be carefully considered.

3. The Safety Committee will conduct a PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE to consider options and seek input. Residents can stay informed as Village email subscribers (please sign up at https://mariemont.org/registration-2 if you do not currently receive these updates); via

Village

the Village website; in the Town Crier; and via door-to-door flyers delivered to residents near the impacted area.

4. Interim steps, schedules and milestones will be developed at upcoming Safety Committee meetings. Public input is encouraged.

5. Attendance at an Open House is not necessary to provide input. There will be opportunities to receive information, complete a survey, and submit individual comments. These comments will be compiled and published.

6. If one or more options are selected for final consideration that involve changes in traffic patterns, the Village will first set up an experiment using temporary signage and barriers coordinated with MPD to evaluate impacts.

7. A second Open House will be held to discuss results of any experiments and to seek input for a PREERRED OPTION From there, the Safety Committee will make a recommendation to full Council and seek public and private funding for a project.

The Choice One report can be accessed via the Village website on the main page at www. mariemont.org. If you would like a pdf copy of the report emailed to you, please contact the Safety Committee, c/o Chair Matthew Ayer at Mayer@mariemont.org. Please do not hesitate to provide comments concerning this upcoming process.

Watch for updates on the Village website. Please sign up to receive Village email updates by registering at https://mariemont.org/ registration-2