Sharon Coolidge

scoolidge@enquirer.com

A new city plan to improve Downtown traffic means no more construction delays during rush hour.

Cue cheers from Downtown drivers, who over the last year have found major city arteries narrowed to one lane. Driving south on Race Street by the future dunnhumby Centre, for example, has been particularly frustrating.

Effective immediately, City Manager Harry Black has put in place new rules for city street closures from construction projects. Black issued a memo Monday morning outlining changes.

The rules were last updated in 1994. In the memo, Black said, "Downtown Cincinnati is a growing and vibrant place. New developments are announced nearly every week, and Downtown has become a mecca for charity walks, events and cultural activities. However, this growth has put many pressures on the existing street network."

"These reviews are being initiated to improve the city's ability to manage the use of right-of-way and to accommodate and balance development needs, infrastructure improvements and routine daily traffic flow," Black added.

Mayor John Cranley has been calling for fixes since taking office last year. When Black was hired in September, Cranley put traffic improvements on the top of his to-do list.

Word hasn't yet leaked to developers, and so it's unclear how they might feel about work stoppages or having to follow stricter rules about where there construction equipment can be.

"Urban developers understand that there are many challenges to developing within the urban core that are not experienced in less dense communities," said Bobby Maly, CEO of the Model Group. "I understand the city's perspective that we must not unduly hurt existing businesses and workers in the name of progress, and it appears they are trying their best to find that balance."

The new rules include:

– No work that restricts travel lanes will be allowed on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m; 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.; and 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. In other words, goodbye rush hour construction.

– Work zones will be limited to the area needed to complete the work.

– No equipment or material storage is allowed on the street during non-working hours, unless approved by the city.

– No personal vehicles are to be allowed in work zones.

– No portable lavatories will be allowed unless they are on a trailer located within the work zone. They must be removed after each day's work.

– Work along the streetcar route must be coordinated with the city's streetcar team.

– Work near intersections will require an off-duty law enforcement officer while lanes are restricted.

Additionally, the police department has revised its policy for issuing "no parking" bags over meters. Going forward, the Department of Transportation and Engineering must agree to cover the meter. That will help the city coordinate future projects, Black said in Monday's memo.