DANA DEATHTRAP

After encountering several delays over the summer, the Dana Avenue Widening Project has resumed construction and set a new completion date of June 1, 2012. The project will expand Dana Avenue, adding turn lanes at all of the major intersections, particularly at Dana Avenue and Ledgewood Drive, creating a better traffic flow and easier access to Xavier University. The project also includes the addition of an eight foot wide bike path, the planting of

trees on the grassy area between the curb and the bike path, the installation of new curbs, a new irrigation system

and a grassy median in the middle of Dana Avenue. The project plans to straighten the road near short Herald  Avenue, known to students as the "Dana death trap." "We're going to get rid of that S-curve and straighten things  out a bit to make it safer and easier for pedestrians," Lisa Rowell, senior engineer for the Ohio Department of Transportation and Engineering, said. The project has been delayed by several factors, including inclement weather and delays installing underground utilities. The city also increased the scope of the project, replacing a gas main that required additional planning, design and installation. Likewise, the property owner at Herald Avenue and Dana Avenue attempted to stop the project, leading to a court case in which the city ultimately prevailed.

"In addition to delays due to weather, all of these issues compounded on each other, leading to the ultimate delay of the project," Rowell said. Despite early setbacks, progress has resumed and a major tie-in for the water lines at Ledgewood Avenue and Dana Avenue was completed in late August. Installation of concrete curbs and walks will continue into the winter, but due to City of Cincinnati regulations that prohibit the installation of asphalt paving past Nov. 1, the project is slated to be completed by June 1, 2012. "Our goal is to make Dana Avenue safer and more aesthetically pleasing," Rowell said.