Railroad Avenue in downtown Loveland becomes a one-way street on Tuesday, July 28, funneling traffic into the city's public parking lot from West Loveland Avenue.
The City of Loveland posted the announcement Monday, July 27, on its civic alerts page. New signs and pavement markings will direct the one-way flow starting the following morning.
The one-way conversion is part of a larger safety overhaul at the Little Miami Scenic Bike Trail crossing on West Loveland Avenue. A new automated traffic signal goes live at that crossing the same day, replacing the pedestrian-activated flashing crosswalk system that previously governed trail traffic.
What changes for drivers
Traffic on Railroad Avenue will flow in one direction only, from West Loveland Avenue into the downtown public parking lot. Drivers should follow new posted signs and pavement markings. The city asked motorists to use caution as everyone adjusts to the pattern.
What changes for trail users
Bicyclists and pedestrians crossing West Loveland Avenue will now obey standard red-yellow-green traffic signals instead of activating a flashing crosswalk. When east-west vehicle traffic has a green light, trail users will see a red signal and must wait.
The new signal is synchronized with traffic lights at State Route 48 and Karl Brown Way to coordinate east-west traffic movement through the downtown corridor, according to the city's construction projects page.
Police presence during transition
Loveland Police Department officers will be stationed at the crossing during the implementation period to help trail users and drivers understand the new signals, the city said on its official Instagram account. The city did not specify how long officers will remain on site.
How it was funded
The signal project and a related railroad preemption upgrade were funded by a grant from the Ohio Rail Development Commission. The preemption work also upgrades equipment at West Loveland Avenue and Karl Brown Way, West Loveland Avenue and Second Street, and Broadway Street and Second Street.
What residents should know
The city's announcement did not specify whether the one-way change on Railroad Avenue is permanent or temporary. Residents with questions can contact the City Engineer's office at (513) 707-6114.
