Highland Park Projects.

Major infrastructure projects to begin this year.

Over the next 24 months, Highland Park will be impacted by a number of infrastructure projects including an intersection realignment, water main installation and street paving.

After completion of the water main project in the northern area of Highland Park in 2017, the next phase of major infrastructure investments is set to move forward this year. These projects include the replacement of the high density polyethylene (HDPE) water mains in the southern section of the neighborhood and paving of streets in the northern area of the neighborhood.

Additionally, the City will begin its next major intersection realignment project at Main, Cereal, Haldimand, Western and McKinley Avenues. With grant and zero percent interest loan funds, these projects represent close to a $9.5 million investment into our infrastructure. A future project will pave the streets where the water mains are being installed this year.

“The various projects being completed in Highland Park are a result of the City’s commitment and dedication to provide reliable and sustainable infrastructure for our residents,” said Rich Engle, P.E., Director of Engineering. “The completion of these projects over the next 24 months will provide long term benefits to our community.”

Realignment of Main, Cereal, Haldimand, Western, and McKinley Avenues.

Timeline: Summer 2020 - Fall 2021

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Realignment of this major intersection has been a priority project in Hamilton for the past five years. In partnership with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), the City will begin work this summer on this $3.6 million construction project to improve vehicle and pedestrian safety along the Main Street corridor. The reconfiguration of the streets will make this a standard 4-way intersection, while also:

  • Replacing an undersized storm sewer

  • Relocating gas and water mains

  • Removing the obsolete railroad tracks and incorporating improvements necessary for the Beltline Recreational Trail

  • Completing a full pavement reconstruction

  • Replacing traffic signals

  • Providing sidewalks and handicap ramps at all approaches

  • Improving signage and street lighting

The partnership with ODOT includes 80% grant funding, putting the City’s burden for the project at approximately $725,000.

This project is being coordinated with a local storm sewer improvement project adjacent to Highland Elementary School. Prior projects completed along this corridor include the realignment of Main Street at Millville and Eaton Avenues, which also utilized grant funds from ODOT.

Highland Park Water Main Replacement Project.

Timeline: Expected Summer 2020 - Fall 2021

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One of the most crucial components of the Highland Park project is the underground water infrastructure replacement. The Highland Park water main replacement project will start this summer. This will be the second phase of a wider water main replacement initiative in the area, which will abandon the aged and problematic pipes from the 1920s and replace them with a new system. This project will upgrade the capacity of our water distribution network, further boosting reliability for customers. The project represents approximately a $4 million investment in our infrastructure, with almost half of that cost covered by a zero interest loan from the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC). We expect the new water main to provide service to our customers for another century.

Due to this new installation, it will be necessary for the contractor to enter each house to make the connection to the resident’s water meter. Because of the underground construction required for this project, it is expected these streets will be paved in a few years restoring them to a good condition.

Highland Park Concrete Repair and Resurfacing Project.

Timeline: Spring 2020 - Fall 2021

In addition to the current water main replacement project, several streets in the Highland Park neighborhood will be resurfaced where prior water main projects have already occurred. As part of this project, overgrown street trees will be removed to allow for concrete curb, sidewalk and drive approach repairs. Some trees may be replaced and replanted in Fall 2021 depending on the location. Additionally, the City will be connecting missing sections of sidewalk to allow for improved pedestrian connectivity in the area. This project represents a $1.8 million investment in our local infrastructure with the assistance of a $1.1 million grant from OPWC.

These are just a few of the projects taking place in Hamilton in 2020. If you have questions about these projects please reach out to Rich Engle, Director of Engineering, via email at rich.engle@hamilton- oh.gov.