I-75 Modernization Project Completed Ahead of Schedule and Under Budget!
The official ribbon cutting for the I-75 Modernization Project took place on Thursday, September 22, 2016, near the corner of Second Street and Red Cross Lane. Over 100 people attended the festivities.
The completion of this project is a prime example of how a collaborative planning effort became a reality. MVRPC is proud to have spearheaded this effort in conjunction with ODOT and our sister agency to the south, the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments.
Photo (L to R): Gordon Proctor (Former ODOT Director), Phil Parker (Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce), Brian O. Martin (MVRPC), Jeffery Mims (Dayton City Commissioner), Judy Dodge (Montgomery County Commissioner), Jerry Wray (ODOT Director), Rob Griffith (Federal Highway Administration) and Randy Chevalley (ODOT District 7 Deputy Director).
Back in 1999, it was estimated that traffic delays on I-75 through Downtown Dayton, contributed to 4.5 million hours of delays at a cost of $100 million per year. This was simply unacceptable. Together, we worked extensively to address these concerns. The completion of the Environmental Assessment in 2003 gave the green light to beginning the first phase of the I-75 Modernization Project in 2007, which consisted of rebuilding I-75 at SR4 and addressed the “Malfunction Junction” split. The second section addressed was I-75 at US35 with construction beginning in 2010. The third and final section, through Downtown Dayton, began in 2013, and focused on the connecting segment between the other two. The project was finished approximately $1 million under budget and ahead of schedule.
MVRPC’s role was to facilitate the plan and transition it into an actual project that would provide maximum potential for the Region, both now and in the future. We’ve accomplished that goal and we are very proud of this modernized stretch of highway. 
Drone footage courtesy of Cox Media Group/SKY 7
Two Map Gallery Wins for MVRPC
MVRPC received two (2) awards in the Map Gallery Competition held during the 2016 Ohio Geographic Information System (GIS) conference. The 2014 Miami Valley Employment story map received the Second place award in the Digital Map category and the Miami Valley Regional Vacancy Profile map received the People’s Choice Award.
This year’s conference was held during September 28 – 30, 2016 in Columbus with more than 300 GIS professionals. Ohio GIS Conference is sponsored by the County Engineers Association of Ohio (CEAO), the Ohio Chapter of the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA), and the Ohio Geographically Referenced Information Program (OGRIP).
Photo (L to R) Kathryn Youra Polk, GIS Specialist/Planner and Julie Black, AICP Regional Planner
Germantown’s Third Annual Twisted Pretzel Tour is a Rousing Success
The Germantown Lions, with the help of numerous volunteers, including MVRPC staff member Mike Lucas, held another successful Twisted Pretzel Tour bicycle ride on Saturday, September 24, 2016. It was the Third Annual Twisted Pretzel Tour, and the event has grown each year. After averaging around 400 riders the first 2 years, great weather helped push the final registration over 540 for 2016.
The event continues to be a major charitable fund raiser for the Germantown Lions. The first 2 years, a total of nearly $20,000 was raised from sponsors and registrants, which was distributed to local food banks and other service organizations in the Germantown/ Farmersville area. Due to the high turnout this year, donations are expected to exceed $11,000.
The event had 3 courses to appeal to varying skill levels of riders, along with pretzel stops featuring fresh pretzels from local vendors, apple cider slushies, and other refreshments. Riders ranged from 5 to 80 years old, with a mix of some strong road riders, some tandems, trailers, and other family groups. The 8- mile “Ring” took riders mostly on the bike path through Germantown, with a pretzel stop at the Germantown MetroPark Dam. The 21-mile “Rod” included rides on rural roads and added a pretzel stop at the Farmersville / Jackson Township Joint Recreation Park, before buzzing down the Germantown Dam hill to the second pretzel stop at the Dam. The 39-mile”Giant” route included both pretzel stops, and included rolling rides through rural Jackson Township and German Township.
After the tour, the fun continued with the Twisted Pretzel Charity Biergarten. A variety of beers were available for purchase, as well as food from local vendors at food trucks. The biergarten was run by the Valley View Academic Boosters club, with sponsorship from the Germantown Friends of the Library, and all biergarten proceeds benefit those and other local service clubs.
Each month, MVRPC highlights several grant funding opportunities. On the web, at: http://www.mvrpc.org/our-vision/planning-services/grant-and-funding-opportunites, you will find a description, contact information and program links found in GrantFinder, a grant seeking tool leased by MVRPC and a key first step in attracting funding. If you need assistance with your grant pursuit or need further grant research, contact Lynn Zuch, Research Associate, at 937-223-6323 or lzuch@mvrpc.org. This month we are featuring the following grants:
This month we are featuring information on:
- FY 2016 – FY 2019 Economic Development Administration’s Planning Program and Local Technical Assistance Program; Deadline – ongoing until superseded by a future announcement
- The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) and The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company's GRO1000 Gardens and Green Spaces Grant Awards Program; Deadline – November 15, 2016
Upcoming MVRPC Meetings:
10/13/16 9:00 a.m. Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) – ODOT Central Office (Headquarters), 1980 W. Broad St., Columbus, OH, 43223
10/20/16 9:30 a.m. Technical Advisory Committee – 10 N. Ludlow St., Suite 700, Dayton, Ohio
11/03/16 8:30 a.m. Executive Committee – 1515 S. Main St., Dayton, Ohio
11/03/16 9:00 a.m. Board of Directors – 1515 S. Main St., Dayton, Ohio
October 2016 Executive Director's Update PDF available for download