By Walt Schaefer
The Cincinnati Enquirer

QUESTION: There is no way for pedestrians to cross the streets at the Five Mile Road and Beechmont Avenue (Ohio 125) intersection in Anderson Township. Recently, a high school student was seriously injured attempting to cross there. What can be done to fix this problem? What about pedestrian bridges over the roads?

- Kathleen and Thomas Craven, Anderson Township

ANSWER: Jay Hamilton, traffic planning engineer for the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), said there are certain high traffic density areas where it is impossible to accommodate both pedestrian and vehicular traffic. The only possibility of a crosswalk - at the north end of Five Mile Road - is under study by ODOT. Allowing time for pedestrians using a crosswalk would take time away from through traffic at a location that already is a significant bottleneck at all hours of the day, Mr. Hamilton said. Permitting pedestrian traffic also would decrease safety. No pedestrian signs or crosswalks exist at the intersection. The best solution is to encourage pedestrians to use crosswalks at other intersections, he said.

Mr. Hamilton said he is unaware of any push for pedestrian bridges but, even if installed, they would be placed several hundred feet from the intersection, and three bridges would be necessary. When factoring in cost versus the distance to the nearest crosswalk, bridges may not be beneficial or warranted.

Q: Leaving the Western Hills Viaduct to access Queen City Avenue in Fairmount is a disaster. Any plans?

- Dick Tepe, Green Township

A: Cincinnati Traffic Engineer Steve Bailey said the city plans an improvement project at the Beekman Avenue curve between the viaduct and Queen City, including installation of a water main followed by a road improvement.

You Asked For It answers questions about regional history, government, schools and roads. Call 381-2800 and enter 2002. Fax 755-4150. E-mail wschaefer@enquirer.com. Mail The Cincinnati Enquirer, 7700 Service Center Drive, West Chester, OH 45069.