Cyclists and pedestrians crossing West Loveland Avenue on the Little Miami Scenic Trail will follow standard green and red traffic lights starting Sept. 21.

The new signal replaces the pedestrian-activated flashing crosswalk that has governed the downtown crossing for years. Crossing guards previously worked high-volume events to manage traffic at the spot. The city announced the activation date in a Facebook post relayed by the Clermont Guardian on Sept. 11.

The change matters for anyone who drives, bikes or walks through the heart of downtown Loveland. Instead of pressing a button and waiting for flashers, trail users will now stop at a red light and proceed on green. Motorists will get the same standard signals overhead.

The new system will be synchronized with existing traffic lights at State Route 48 and Karl Brown Way, according to the city's Facebook announcement. The goal is to keep vehicle traffic flowing through downtown while giving trail users a dedicated turn to cross.

Signals will begin flashing in the days before activation as crews finish testing the system. Loveland Police Department officers will be stationed at the crossing during the transition to help trail users and motorists adjust to the new pattern.

According to the city's Construction Projects page, design work ran from 2023 to 2024, and the city originally proposed installation for spring 2025. The project ran more than a year past that target.

The city secured a grant to fund the installation, according to a separate civic alert.

Ohio Department of Transportation contractors began locating utilities at the site in late June 2026, the city said on its official X account. The system will install two types of signals: traditional overhead lights for vehicles and separate lights designed for trail users.

A related Railroad Preemption Project, funded by the Ohio Rail Development Commission, will upgrade railroad signal equipment at three nearby intersections. That project ties into the new trail-crossing signal, according to city records.

The Little Miami Scenic Trail stretches more than 78 miles from Springfield to Hamilton County and passes directly through Loveland's downtown business district, where cafes, bike shops and rental outfits line the route. The city urged residents to use caution and watch for the new signals as the community adjusts.