“This is in the infant stages,” Morris said. “A big part of this will be the financials and demographics. There’s a lot of research to be done. The last thing anyone wants to do is burden the taxpayer.”
A lot of subdivisions are struggling because there is no direct access to Middletown, according to Morris.
A new bridge would also alleviate traffic issues along Franklin-Trenton Road and the Lions Bridge, according to Morris.
To cross the river, motorists must use the Ohio 122 or the Ohio 4 bridges in Middletown or go to Franklin to cross the river at the Lions Bridge or the Ohio 123 bridge.
A new bridge could also eliminate trucks getting stuck at the railroad underpass on Franklin-Trenton Road, Morris said.
“I want to see this as a regional project,” he said. “In my opinion, the sky’s the limit on the types of development that could help with the use of that land.”
The idea isn’t new. In fact, on a 1963 general land use plan developed by the city of Middletown, there was a bridge recommended for that general location.
In 1999, former Franklin Mayor Jim Mears said building a new bridge in that area closer to Franklin was discussed as well.
Matt Obringer, a Warren County planner, said this is more than looking at a bridge because this will also look at the overall land use in that portion of the township. He said this would include looking at economic development possibilities as well as residential and recreation aspects.
“This is new leadership putting a bug in people’s ears,” Obringer said.”This is just putting pencil to paper to see what the options are and to see if this is feasible.”
Middletown is in the midst of developing a new master plan for the city, and a transportation plan will be the last aspect of the process, according to City Manager Doug Adkins.
Adkins said he’s interested in regional projects as long as there is benefit to the city.
“Given our infrastructure needs, we’d have to do those projects first before taking on new projects,” he said.
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