Hamilton County Engineer

We want to recognize Hamilton County Engineer's Office highway maintenance employees Logan Jungkunz, Ron Tackett, and Sam Wehner for the professionalism and skill they exhibited while representing HCEO last week at the 40th Annual Franklin County Engineer's Snowfighters Roadeo.

This was HCEO's first year participating in the event, giving our snowplow drivers the chance to test their abilities on a course they had never driven before. Competing in a field of 83 drivers, Logan earned a top 10 finish, with all three HCEO drivers finishing in the top third of the field. 👏🏽 💪🏽 🤩

Snow Roadeos are more than a competition. They provide an opportunity for our crews to practice and strengthen the skills, vehicle control, equipment handling, and judgment necessary to remove snow and ice safely and effectively during winter operations. ❄ ❄ ❄

We also want to give a special thank you to the Franklin County Engineer's Office for hosting such a well-run event. We appreciate the chance to learn from the experience, drive alongside other winter operations professionals across the region, and bring new ideas back to HCEO to enhance our own training course. 🙌🏻

Another Snow Roadeo is in the books! ❄️🤠

Last week, the Hamilton County Engineer’s Office hosted its annual Snow Roadeo training event at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds. The three-day event gives plow truck drivers and equipment operators an opportunity to sharpen their skills, practice precision and control, and prepare for the work they perform during snow and ice operations.

Along with HCEO drivers, more than 100 drivers from seven townships and ten municipalities took on the plow truck course, navigating a series of challenging maneuvers designed to reflect situations they may encounter during real-world winter operations.

The Snow Roadeo also included an equipment operator competition, where participants demonstrated precision and equipment-handling skills by using a mini excavator to carefully maneuver objects through a series of challenges.

A little friendly competition is part of the fun, and we’re proud to recognize the HCEO employees who earned the highest scores in each of this year's Snow Roadeo challenges:

🥇 Snowplow Course: Jeff Mullens, Highway Maintenance Foreman

🏆 Equipment Operator Challenge: Sam Wehner, Highway Maintenance Foreman

Congratulations to both winners and to everyone who participated in this year’s Snow Roadeo.

A successful three-day event takes a team. Thank you to everyone who helped plan the event, prepare and operate the courses, judge and score participants, support equipment, and keep things moving throughout the week. We also appreciate the township and municipal partners who joined us for this year’s event.

🤔Have you ever wondered how Devils Backbone Road got its name?

For the latest installment of WVXU’s “OKI Wanna Know,” Bill Rinehart explores the history behind one of Hamilton County’s more unusually named roads. The story includes insight from Hamilton County Engineer Eric Beck, who shared historical information about the road and its origins.

The story traces Devils Backbone Road back to the late 1800s, including an 1884 map containing the earliest reference to the name Eric was able to locate, and explores how the area’s geography may help explain both the road’s path and its memorable name.

Check out the story from WVXU, Cincinnati’s NPR member station, to read more or listen to the full segment. 🎧

OKI Wanna Know: Who named this West Side road? A listener wants to know where the name Devils Backbone comes from.

🚧 Anderson Township Traffic Alert: ODOT Clough Pike/Newtown Road Project

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has issued an update regarding its next phase of construction for the Clough Pike and Newtown Road intersection improvement project in Anderson Township.

Beginning Monday, August 24, Newtown Road will be closed to southbound traffic between Mercers Point Drive and Clough Pike for up to 60 days.

Key information:

▪️Southbound traffic will be detoured via Bartels Road

▪️During most construction, northbound traffic on Newtown Road will be shifted west and maintained in one lane.

🔗 View the full ODOT project details and update here: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/OHDOT/bulletins/4255e05

For additional information, please contact ODOT District 8 Public Information at [email protected], 513-933-6517, or 513-933-6534.

Alert HC: Per Harrison Fire: LEAVE AREA NOW along Lawrenceburg Rd down to Suspension Bridge Rd due to DANGEROUS FLOODING. Flood waters can move swiftly and rise rapidly. Use caution driving. Take pets and do not waste time packing personal belongings. Shelter open at 505 Bielby Rd. DO NOT return to area until directed by local officials. Sent: 8/13/26 at 9:05 PM

⛈️ ADDITIONAL STORMS & FLOODING POSSIBLE

The US National Weather Service forecasts additional showers and thunderstorms tonight into Friday morning. Some storms may produce heavy rainfall, and a Flood Watch remains in effect through Friday morning.

Creeks and streams are already running high, and high water is beginning to affect County- maintained roads. The photo below shows the road conditions on Lawrenceburg Road, which is now closed in two locations. Additional rainfall may cause water to rise quickly and lead to more road closures, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas.

If you are traveling, please use extra caution:

🌧️ TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN
Never drive through standing or moving water.

🚧 OBEY ROAD CLOSURES AND BARRICADES
Do not drive around or move traffic-control devices.

⚠️ WATCH FOR RAPIDLY CHANGING CONDITIONS
Low-lying roads and underpasses can flood quickly.

🚗 SLOW DOWN ON WET ROADS
Wet pavement reduces traction.

🚧 ROAD CLOSURE AND CLEANUP UPDATE 🚧
Last Updated: August 13, 1:30PM

The following roads reopened this morning:

• Broadwell Road, from Round Bottom Road to Ma**er Warehouse, in Anderson Township
• River Road at 6803 in Crosby Township
• Miles Road at 1900 in Springfield Township

All other roads included in yesterday’s update remain closed.

Additional closures reported today include:

📍 LAWRENCEBURG ROAD | WHITEWATER TOWNSHIP
• Miami View Road to U.S. 50, due to high water
• Suspension Bridge Road to Stevens Road, due to high water

📍 SALEM ROAD | ANDERSON TOWNSHIP
• Apple Hill Road to Wayside Drive, due to storm damage

HCEO's maintenance crews continue to remove storm debris from County-maintained roads. In some locations, cleanup remains delayed because downed power lines have not yet been secured. We are working closely with Duke Energy, which has brought in additional personnel and is working as quickly as possible to do so. Once Duke Energy secures the lines and confirms the areas are safe, our maintenance crews will begin cleanup.

📩 Road closures and conditions may continue to change. View the current HCEO road closure map and sign up for timely road closure email alerts:
https://www.hamiltoncountyohio.gov/government/departments/engineer/road_closures.php

🚧 HAMILTON COUNTY ROAD CLOSURES 🚧
Last Updated: 2:35PM, August 12th

The following County maintained roads are currently CLOSED due to storm damage:

📍ANDERSON TOWNSHIP
• Asbury Road - North of Ayers Road
• Broadwell Road - Round Bottom to Ma**er Warehouse
• Eight Mile Road - North of Old Kellogg Road
• Mt. Carmel Road - Broadwell to Apple Blossom Drive
• Newtown Road - Clough to Lawyer

📍COLERAIN TOWNSHIP
• 7761 Althaus Road
• 9524 Lockwood Hill Road
• 9428 East Miami River Road (Duke Energy is also there)
• 1900 Miles Road
• 9911 Flick Road

📍CROSBY TOWNSHIP
• 6303 River Road

📍GREEN TOWNSHIP
• Boomer Road - Race to Reemelin
• Sidney Road - Muddy Creek to Neeb

📸 The photos below show just some of the extensive storm damage and debris our crews are encountering on County maintained roads. Fallen trees, large limbs and other hazards are blocking roadways.

In several locations, downed power lines are tangled within the debris, creating dangerous conditions for the public and our crews. ⚡

Our crews are actively engaged in debris removal and are working diligently to reopen roads as quickly as conditions safely allow. Where power lines are down, however, crews cannot begin cleanup until the utility company has secured the lines and confirmed the area is safe to enter.

🚨 STAY SAFE. DO NOT DRIVE AROUND BARRICADES OR APPROACH DOWNED POWER LINES. 🚨

⚠️ USE EXTRA CAUTION ON THE ROADS TODAY⚠️

Following yesterday’s thunderstorms and high winds, additional rain and thunderstorms are expected today.

Check the US National Weather Service for the latest forecast and weather alerts.

With already-wet conditions and the potential for more severe weather, please stay alert for changing road conditions and storm-related hazards.

If you’re traveling today, please use extra caution:

🌧️ DON'T DRIVE THROUGH A FLOODED ROADWAY
Water depth may be unsafe and hide debris.

🚧 OBEY ROAD CLOSURES AND BARRICADES
Do not bypass or move traffic-control devices.

🌳 WATCH FOR DEBRIS IN THE ROADWAY
Fallen trees and other debris may be in the road.

⚡ STAY AWAY FROM DOWNED POWER LINES
Assume downed lines are energized. Call 9-1-1.

🚗 GO SLOW; INCREASE FOLLOWING DISTANCE
Wet pavement can reduce traction.

👷 GIVE CREWS & RESPONDERS ROOM
Allow personnel the space needed to work safely.

Your destination can wait. Your safety can't.

ICYMI: Anderson Township, Ohio - Government has started construction on the Newtown-Clough intersection area improvements. Traffic will be maintained throughout the project, but single lane closures on Clough will occur from 8AM-4PM, beginning Monday, June 8th.

Newtown-Clough Intersection Area Improvements Begin

Construction has begun on a project to add left-turn lanes on Clough Pike to Newtown Road and to the Alcove of Turpin Hills apartments. The project will also complete the sidewalk connection on Clough Pike from Newtown Road to Copperleaf (and Turpin Hills).

The improvements are made possible by an ODOT grant and are based on the township’s 2021 Clough Pike Transportation Study. The new turn lanes will ease traffic backups, and the sidewalk will improve pedestrian safety by finishing the Clough sidewalks that link the Turpin Hills area to the Clough Pike Historical Business District.

Traffic will be maintained on Clough Pike during construction. However, beginning Monday, June 8, single lane closures on Clough Pike will be in place between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to allow for the temporary widening of the roadway. Delays are possible and motorists are urged to use caution in the construction zone.
For more information, please see page 4 of the April 2026 edition of Anderson Insights at https://andersontownshipoh.gov/Portals/andersontownship/Documents/Departments/Newsletter%20Insights/AT%20Insights%20April%2026%20Web%20B2770.pdf.

The project is projected to be completed late this fall.

We asked for input, and Hamilton County answered in a BIG way! 💪

Our traffic safety survey has officially closed, and the number of responses we received far exceeded our expectations. 😃

We are grateful to Hamilton County residents, travelers, and community partners for taking the time to share your thoughts, concerns, and ideas about traffic safety on County-maintained roads and intersections.

Your feedback will play an important role in developing our Comprehensive Safety Action Plan and working with partner agencies to identify opportunities to improve traffic safety for
everyone. 🚦🚶🚲🚌

THANK YOU for partnering with us to help keep your drive safe.🚗