Central / Dixie Interchange

The I-75 Interchange at Central Avenue/Dixie Drive is located within a critical north-south transportation corridor. The interchange was originally designed as the northern termini of a north-south limited access highway from Cincinnati to Dayton. When I-75 was later extended to the north, the current partial interchange at Central Avenue/Dixie Drive remained. The current configuration of the I-75 interchange with Central Avenue/Dixie Drive and Dryden Road is missing left turn movements. These configurations require existing traffic to use complex and circuitous routes to reach businesses and residential areas. The goal of this project is to dramatically reduce the number of circuitous miles traveled by the public.

ODOT is proposing to construct a traditional urban diamond interchange that will provide for all traffic movements. The project also includes improvements to the local roads. The following elements are included in the project:

• Construct a traditional urban diamond interchange consisting of four direct ramps to and from the I-75 mainline;.
• Improve the nearby intersection of Central Avenue/Dixie Drive and Dryden Road to provide full access;
• Modify Central Avenue to operate as a traditional two-way arterial roadway;.
• Maintain Dixie Drive to provide access to the residential neighborhood located on the north side of the railroad;
• Construct a new entrance ramp from Dixie Drive to I-75. The new ramp will enter I-75 near the existing northbound bridge over Holes Creek. To accommodate this ramp, the northbound I-75 bridge will be widened. Also, a lane will be added to this bridge to accommodate traffic during construction.
• Widen the eastbound bridge carrying Dixie Drive over Holes Creek to the inside to create a left turn lane for Dryden Road. To accommodate the added lane, the existing bridge supports and decking will be widened.
• Modify the intersection of Central Avenue/Dixie Drive and Dryden Road to provide a signalized intersection with left-turn movements.

The Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) approved $15.5 million construction funding for the project on May 2010. The TRAC award completes funding for the project with a total estimated cost of $23.5 million. Construction started in March 2011.