5 things to know about the $10M downtown Springboro traffic project that’s now almost done

Traffic is flowing smoothly through Springboro’s central crossroads, Ohio 741 and Ohio 73, after $10 million and nearly a year of road work.

Work is also moving along on redeveloping the northwest corner of the intersection, known as Main Street and Central Avenue in Springboro, as a commercial center and gathering place.

Here are five things to know about the project:

Construction begins

The city of Springboro decided to foot most of the bill for the road project and purchased the land where the Srpingboro IGA Plaza previously stood. At this point, about $15 million has been spent on overall project.

RELATED: Key Springboro corner to be redeveloped

Road construction began in June 2017.

Former IGA Plaza revival

The old shopping plaza was razed, and the tenants were relocated.

The new design for the six-acre corner has been completed by James Paresi, an architect who often works with Larry Dillin, the developer pegged by the city on the Austin South Springboro project.

Dillin has also been involved in developing plans for the commercial development at the crossroads to be anchored by a Springboro Center for the Performing Arts.

RELATED:Developer wants to build community across from Austin Landing in Springboro

Residents have weighed in on what they would like to see join the arts center on the corner, and the city is putting together a financing plan to pay for the project.

Road project continues behind scenes

All that’s left of the intersection project is application of special paint and finalizing right-of-way disputes.

Last week, Springboro City Manager Chris Pozzuto said the anticipated completion on May 25 was delayed by painting crosswalks.

RELATED: City to tear down Speedway for crossroads project

“The project is complete, minus the thermo-plastic paint that needs to be applied to delineate the crosswalks. That is scheduled to occur within the next two weeks,” he said in an email.

Earlier this month, the Warren County Transportation Improvement District managing the intersection project extended through the end of the year a contract with the company hired to handle right-of way disputes.

Landscaping is also planned. The city council shifted $22,000 for design of greenery and other features to be included at the four corners.

Here’s how the project looked in January:

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