Is This Really Needed?
Printed From: MiddletownUSA.com
Category: Middletown Community
Forum Name: Middletown News, Info and Happenings
Forum Description: Discuss any Middletown Ohio area news story.
URL: http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5039
Printed Date: Oct 06 2025 at 1:02am
Topic: Is This Really Needed?
Posted By: VietVet
Subject: Is This Really Needed?
Date Posted: Feb 06 2013 at 6:24am
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Journal story... City to purchase right-of-way for Towne Blvd. project MIDDLETOWN — City Council agreed to a contract Tuesday night with O.R. Colan Associates for services associated with purchasing right-of-way for the Towne Boulevard construction project. Council agreed to pay O.R. Colan Associates will receive $96,325. The project will receive $147,000 from a Ohio Public Works Commission grant for the design and right-of-way acquisition phase of the project, and the city will pay $153,000 toward the project. Plans call for a minor road widening and lane reconfiguration, construction of sidewalks, traffic signal reconstruction and pavement rehabilitation. Construction is slated for 2014. The construction project is estimated to be $1.25 million with $585,000 awarded from federal Surface Transportation Program funds. The remaining $665,000 will be funded through an OWPC grant I might understand the need to refurbish the pavement on Towne Blvd. There is a need to refurbish 95% of the roads in Middletown. I drive Towne Blvd. on a frequent basis going to Kroger and to Meijer. I don't see this area as extremely congested. I see traffic moving at a reasonable rate. I don't understand the need for widening the road. Don't understand why the $96 thou of city money for "services" (and another $153 thou for the city's share) is being used here for the purpose of right-of-way. Sidewalks? Doesn't seem to be alot of foot traffic in this area. A few people waiting for the bus across from the old Hollywood Video store perhaps. Don't see people walking from store to store along this stretch of road. If sidewalks are installed, how many people would we see using them? Kind of a waste of money and time isn't it?.....and from what fund would this $96 thou and $153 thou come from? If it ain't broke, why are we trying to fix it? JMO ------------- I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over. |
Replies:
Posted By: ktf1179
Date Posted: Feb 06 2013 at 8:26am
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I travel the intersection of 122 & Towne blvd. frequently. Between the hours of 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM I always see cars backed up trying to turn onto Towne Blvd. from Ohio 122. The main choke point is at Towne Blvd, in the section between Ohio 122 and the Kroger. I also see a lot of people running the red light turning from Ohio 122 East to Town Blvd North. And in some cases blocking West bound Ohio 122 from moving because they are backed up into the intersection There is definitely a need for sidewalks. I always see people walking in the grass or on the shoulder walking along Ohio 122 form I-75 to Cincinnati Dayton Rd. trying to get to work, or other places. If the sidewalks are built people will definitely use them. I am sure if you watch the intersection of Ohio 122 and Towne Blvd. from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM M-F you will see what I am talking about.
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Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Feb 06 2013 at 11:18am
So, we can agree that the choke point for the congestion on Towne Blvd. is at the intersection of Rt. 122 and Towne. All can agree that this is one of the busiest intersections in town and one has to wait forever for all the lights to trigger allowing your turn to proceed. The timing of the lights is an issue as we have a large volume of traffic either turning right at Towne, turning left coming from Middletown or traffic crossing 122 coming from the Lowe's/Wal-Mart direction heading toward Krogers. But what about further up the road on Towne starting at Kroger and continuing on around the bend in front of Meijers? Don't necessarily see a major traffic flow problem there and I've been driving Towne Blvd. for many years.......I respectfully disagree with you on the foot traffic and the need for sidewalks. Rarily see that many people walking from the Meijer end of Towne out to Bobby Evan's restaurant. Again, see a few people gathered at the bus stop occasionally. IMO, foot traffic numbers do not justify the cost for sidewalks and is an added expense that will benefit a handfull of people at best. Still don't understand the need for the widening of the road either. Already have two lanes in either direction with the lanes widening at the 122/Towne intersection. On Towne, you now have the vacant mall, the eating places by Bob Evans, Kroger, Staples, Goodwill and Meijer traffic and that's about it. Still not congested enough to warrant this new proposal. It just ain't that crowded folks. JMO ------------- I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over. |
ktf1179 wrote:Posted By: ktf1179
Date Posted: Feb 06 2013 at 12:27pm
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I know when I leave Kroger, I usually just turn right on onto Towne blvd. then turn left onto the road by staples and take that around the mall to Cin-Day Road to get back to Ohio 122, because I can hardly turn left out of Kroger anymore. My question is will they ever connect Victoria Ave. with Towne blvd? Which would give another entrance and exit for the Ayrshire Neighborhood.
As it is currently my roommate that does not have a car right now, has to walk from Grand Ave. & Boylston ave. Then walk the entire length of Ohio 122 (with no sidewalk) to Towne Blvd. where he crosses Ohio 122 to get to the business on the south side of Towne Blvd. where he works. If the speed limit of Ohio 122 was at 35 or 25 MPH then sidewalks would not be needed. But as we all know the speed limit is 45 MPH, but as most people in Middletown drive between 50 - 65 MPH on Ohio 122 making it not only dangerous drivers but also for people to walking along side the road. That's why I am pushing for more sidewalks help protect the people who walk from the many racers who drive the streets of this town. |
Posted By: ktf1179
Date Posted: Feb 06 2013 at 12:33pm
I am sure John Beagle see's what I am talking about everyday from MiddletownUSA offices 
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Posted By: Pacman
Date Posted: Feb 06 2013 at 9:37pm
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Vet, The mall has been purchased and we are awaiting the wonderful rehab and the rush of new stores. Thus many new patrons. KTF, Try the light behind the Kroger gas station. No worries about left hand turns there. Pacman |
Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Feb 07 2013 at 6:23am
PAC, I AWAIT WITH CYNICAL VISION BASED ON PAST EVENTS CONCERNING DEVELOPMENT IN THIS TOWN. IF THE CITY GETS INVOLVED, IT WILL SOMEHOW BECOME A DEBACLE. ------------- I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over. |