PUBLIC INPUT IS A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THE PROJECT DEVELOPMENT PROCESS. As NHX project development continues, the City, BCTID, and ODOT will work closely with stakeholders and local communities to explore and develop the alternatives advanced for further study in much greater detail. Our goal is to identify a preferred alternative that meets the needs of the project while taking into account the needs and concerns of affected communities. Public engagement activities will likely include: Meetings with the Stakeholder Committee, which represents local communities, organizations, residents, and businesses Meetings/workshops with local neighborhoods Public surveys Progress updates sent via email Virtual and in-person public meetings once a preferred alternative has been identified How does public involvement make a difference? Community members have deep insight and knowledge of their neighborhoods. Partnerships between the community and project team can help fine-tune project alternatives and perhaps even uncover opportunities that haven’t been considered yet. By working through the process together, projects like NHX are made stronger and better. How can you make a difference? Participate in the process. Be informed. Attend a neighborhood meeting. Complete a survey. Your thoughts are welcome any time. CURRENT & UPCOMING PUBLIC INPUT OPPORTUNITIES Information about upcoming meetings and public input opportunities will be posted here as they are scheduled. Environmental Assessment Public Hearing: September 10, 2026 (Comments can be submitted through October 10, 2026) The City of Hamilton and Butler County Transportation Improvement District (BCTID), in coordination with the Ohio Department of Transportation, hosted a Public Hearing to receive comments on the North Hamilton Crossing Environmental Assessment (EA). The EA details the anticipated environmental impacts of the Preferred Alternative and outlines the measures that will be taken to minimize these impacts. The Public Hearing was part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process designed to ensure that agencies like ODOT carefully consider the potential social, economic and environmental impacts of proposed transportation projects, like NHX, before decisions are made. It also guarantees that the public has the opportunity to be informed and provide input. (Comments due Oct. 10, 2026) Printed copies of the EA are also available at the following locations: BCTID Office, 1921 Fairgrove Avenue City of Hamilton Office, 345 High Street Lane Library, 300 N 3rd Street North End Market, 927 Vine Street Hearing Materials Materials shared at the Public Hearing are provided below: Presentation Information Boards Project Overview Fact Sheet Right-of-Way & Relocation Fact Sheet Preliminary Project Alternatives Look Book (from the January - March 2023 Open Houses) Recommended Section Alternatives Look Book (from the June - August 2024 Open Houses) Comments All comments on the EA and its recommendations must be submitted by October 10, 2026, to be included in the current phase of review. Comments can be submitted through our Contact Us page or by mail, email, or phone: VIEW EA Allen Messer, Director of Engineering City of Hamilton 345 High Street Hamilton, OH 45011 (513) 785-7286 Allen.Messer@hamilton-oh.gov Dan Corey, Director Butler County Transportation Improvement District 1921 Fairgrove Avenue Hamilton, OH 45011 (513) 431-1229 DanC@BCTID.org Upcoming Opportunities PAST PUBLIC INPUT OPPORTUNITIES Below is information about public input opportunities that have been held to date. North End Neighborhood Workshop: January 22, 2024 A neighborhood workshop was held with the North End Neighborhood on January 22, 2024 to discuss project alternatives in more detail and explore community needs and considerations in greater depth. Nearly 100 people attended. Meeting summary materials are provided below. Meeting Summary Report Presentation Central Section Alternatives Map Town Hall Meeting: August 28, 2023 A Town Hall Meeting was held at Parrish Auditorium on Monday, August 28, 2023 to provide the community with an update on the North Hamilton Crossing project, present the recommendations of the Feasibility Study , discuss next steps and to answer questions. Approximately 100 people participated. Meeting summary materials are provided below. Meeting Summary Report Public Open Houses (in-person and virtual): January 23, 2023 – March 12, 2023 An In-Person Open House was held on January 23, 2023, to update the community on the North Hamilton Crossing project, share results of recently completed studies, discuss route alternatives developed and evaluated, and gather community input. More than 300 people attended. To extend the public review and input opportunity, a 45-day Virtual Open House featuring the same information shared at the in-person meeting was also launched on January 23. By the end of the comment period, the Virtual Open House had been visited more than 6,500 times and approximately 700 people provided input. Meeting summary materials are provided below. Meeting Summary Report Appendix A: Exhibits and Materials Appendix B: Notification Materials Appendix C: Comments Received (includes responses to comments) Virtual Public Open House: August 29, 2021 – September 30, 2021 This opportunity was held virtually due to COVID-19 public gathering restrictions. Its purpose was to share information about the purpose and need for the North Hamilton Crossing project and the results of studies completed to date, and to gather public input regarding transportation concerns in the study area. During the 30 days it was open, the Virtual Open House site was visited more than 4,300 times, and nearly 1,600 people provided input. Information received was used to confirm the primary and secondary needs identified for the project and identify other issues or problems that need to be considered as project development proceeds. The m eeting summary report is provided below. Meeting Summary Report Roundabouts Open House Past PI Opportunities CONTACT US You can contact the project team with questions or comments any time by clicking here or by contacting: ALLEN MESSER Di rector of Engineering City of Hamilton 345 High Street | Hamilton, OH 45011 (513) 785-7286 Allen.Messer@hamilton-oh.gov DAN COREY Di rector Butler County Transportation Improvement District 1921 Fairgrove Avenue | Hamilton, OH 45011 (513) 431-1229 DanC@BCTID.org Stakeholder Committee The Stakeholder Committee consists of individuals representing local organizations, businesses, neighborhoods and other groups that have a vested interest in the project and the area in which it will be located. Members are charged with serving as liaisons between their constituents/neighbors and the project team in between public input events. Click here to review materials and meeting summaries from past Stakeholder Committee meetings. Consulting Parties Click here to learn about the Section 106 Consulting Party Consultation & Review process.

MAKING TRAVEL EASIER AND SAFER The City of Hamilton and surrounding areas of Butler County have been experiencing a resurgence of economic growth and redevelopment. While these changes have had a positive impact on jobs and progress in our community, they have also strained local transportation infrastructure. The City of Hamilton and Butler County Transportation Improvement District (BCTID) have already completed multiple improvements throughout the city and nearby areas to reduce congestion and improve travel safety. Now, the city and the BCTID are working in coordination with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to plan the next effort: the North Hamilton Crossing (NHX). Current Conditions Travel through northeastern Hamilton is often slowed down due to: Increasing numbers of vehicles on local streets A higher-than-average frequency of crashes Delays caused by train crossings Congestion on bridges across the river These conditions are expected to get worse as more people and businesses are attracted to the city and nearby areas. Learn more about existing conditions , including travel conditions, safety concerns, connectivity issues and alternative modes of transportation in the northeastern Hamilton area. NHX Project Goals Improve mobility and reduce congestion Improve the safety those traveling by car, bike, on foot, or other means Improve connections between the east and west sides of Hamilton Make travel across the Great Miami River easier Explore opportunities to improve and expand sidewalks and bike paths, and improve public transportation options Support growth and redevelopment This website has been developed to provide you with information about the NHX project and the process being used to develop it, and to keep you informed about its progress. Click the buttons below for more information. ABOUT NHX PROCESS PARTICIPATE MATERIALS FAQs Obtenga más información sobre Imagine Lexington. APRENDE MÁS Regístrese para recibir actualizaciones de progreso por correo electrónico. HAGA CLIC AQUÍ Comparta sus preguntas y comentarios con nosotros. CONTÁCTENOS

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EXISTING CONDITIONS Travel Conditions When evaluating travel conditions, we look at the amount of traffic traveling on a street compared with the volume of traffic the street was designed to support. We also consider how long it takes to travel from one point to another and other aspects such as distance traveled, condition of the street, and safety hazards. Using congestion information as a reference, streets are also assigned a Level of Service (LOS) rating between A and F. Like a report card in school, LOS A is the best rating (represents highest driver comfort and free flowing traffic conditions) and LOS F is the worst (exhibits the highest levels of driver frustration, excessive delays, and traffic jams). Our traffic analysis of the NHX study area showed that several primary streets and intersections in the study area currently meet or exceed their capacity, particularly SR 129/High Street. Looking forward 20 to 30 years, it is expected that conditions on these streets will only get worse as the City continues to attract more businesses and develop more attractions. Study Area Travel Conditions Several primary streets through the project area are currently at LOS F or D/E. Projections indicate LOS will continue to decline throughout the region by 2050. Safety Concerns Travel safety is a concern throughout the study area. Due to poor safety ratings, four area intersections are even ranked among ODOT’s top priorities for urban intersection improvements in their statewide Highway Safety Improvement Program: SR 129/High Street at 7th Street (ranked 24th) SR 129/High Street at SR 4 (ranked 31st) SR 129/High Street at US 127 (ranked 40th) SR 129/High Street at B Street (ranked 57th) The travel safety heat map further identifies the locations of past vehicle crashes within the study area. The brighter the color, the more crashes in that area. TRAVEL SAFETY HEAT MAP Train Crossings Trains crossing streets are also a safety concern for vehicles and pedestrians. Every day, numerous trains pass through downtown neighborhoods and other highly populated areas. These trains back up traffic and sometimes cause drivers and pedestrians to take undue risks out of impatience or inattention. There are 23 locations where trains cross streets in the City, and studies found that street-level (or "at-grade") crossings within the study area are blocked by trains approximately 25% of the day. Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety The NHX project considers travel safety for bicyclists and pedestrians. Bicyclists have to share lanes with cars in much of the City, and in the recent past, Hamilton has had the state's highest rate of bicycle crashes per population and the third highest pedestrian crash rate per population. Some of these crashes occurred in or near the study area. East-West Connectivity Travel between the east and west sides of the City is challenging due to the 23 street-level railroad crossings in the study area and limited space on bridges over the Great Miami River. In fact, SR 129 is the only continuous east-west route through the City of Hamilton that is both unaffected by trains and crosses the Great Miami River. The only other bridge in the study area is the 100-year-old Black Street Bridge, which is often congested due to its two narrow lanes and narrow sidewalks. Within the next 20 years, it’s expected that the bridge will not be large enough to meet growing traffic demands. There have also been 25 crashes at the bridge within the last three years. Due to these issues, most motorists travel indirect routes to avoid known congestion and problem areas when traveling between the east and west sides of the City. This leads to increased traffic and congestion on secondary roads, increased safety risks to motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians, and longer times traveling from one point to another. Alternative Modes of Transportation Within the City of Hamilton, 9.6% of households have no vehicle available and 41.3% have only one vehicle available. The City has made it a goal to encourage alternative modes of transportation to improve mobility and decrease traffic congestion. In addition to expanding opportunities for bicycle/pedestrian users, we’d like to improve and expand public transportation opportunities to connect transit-dependent individuals to jobs.

PUBLIC MEETING & VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE (Archived) JUNE 24, 2025 - AUGUST 8, 2025 Below are links to the summary report and appendices for the North Hamilton Crossing Public Meeting & Virtual Open House held between June 24, 2025 and August 8, 2025. Meeting Summary Report - Archived Appendix A: Meeting Materials (Click here to for a reduced file size) Appendix B: Notification Materials Appendix C: Comments Received Responses to Questions and Suggestions Received Presentation Video

PHASE 1 HISTORY/ARCHITECTURE SURVEY Below are links to the North Hamilton Crossing Phase 1 History/Architecture Survey report and addendum. Phase 1 History/Architecture Survey - Archived Phase 1 History / Architecture Survey Report (July 2025) Report Appendices (July 2025) Phase 1 History / Architecture Survey Report - Addendum (October 2025) - Archived

Proyecto MATERIALES El proyecto Imagine New Circle está analizando de cerca la parte noreste del corredor New Circle, entre Newtown Pike y Richmond Road, para ver cómo se puede mejorar en los próximos años. Estamos analizando posibles mejoras en el transporte y el paisaje urbano, oportunidades para fomentar nuevas viviendas y desarrollos, y formas de apoyar mejor a los negocios existentes y nuevos. Los materiales desarrollados en apoyo del proyecto se enumeran a continuación y se pueden revisar haciendo clic en los enlaces. Se agregarán nuevos materiales a medida que se desarrollen. Primary Needs Improve east-west connectivity Address insufficient crossings of the Great Miami River Address lack of grade-separated railroad crossings Enhance mobility/reduce congestion on the local road network Improve safety on roads within the project area and at railroad crossings Secondary Needs Support planned and proposed economic development Improve bike/pedestrian connectivity within the city and to the regional/state shared-use path system Improve multi-modal linkage, including bus transportation options El proyecto Imagine New Circle está analizando de cerca la parte noreste del corredor New Circle, entre Newtown Pike y Richmond Road, para ver cómo se puede mejorar en los próximos años. Estamos analizando posibles mejoras en el transporte y el paisaje urbano, oportunidades para fomentar nuevas viviendas y desarrollos, y formas de apoyar mejor a los negocios existentes y nuevos. Los materiales desarrollados en apoyo del proyecto se enumeran a continuación y se pueden revisar haciendo clic en los enlaces. Se agregarán nuevos materiales a medida que se desarrollen. El proyecto Imagine New Circle está analizando de cerca la parte noreste del corredor New Circle, entre Newtown Pike y Richmond Road, para ver cómo se puede mejorar en los próximos años. Estamos analizando posibles mejoras en el transporte y el paisaje urbano, oportunidades para fomentar nuevas viviendas y desarrollos, y formas de apoyar mejor a los negocios existentes y nuevos. Los materiales desarrollados en apoyo del proyecto se enumeran a continuación y se pueden revisar haciendo clic en los enlaces. Se agregarán nuevos materiales a medida que se desarrollen. A conceptual rendering of the NHX. NHX LOCATION The NHX will be located in northeast Hamilton. The NHX study area extends between NW Washington Blvd. and North B St. on the west side of the Great Miami River, and US 127 (North 3rd St.), SR 4 (Erie Blvd.) and SR 129 at Hampshire Dr. on the east side, all north of SR 129/High St. THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE Between 2021 and 2025, 18 alternative routes for the NHX were developed, analyzed and shared with stakeholders, project area neighbors and the broader community for review and input. Through this process, these options were narrowed down and refined. In 2025, a Recommended Preferred Alternative was identified and shared with the community for review and comment. After reviewing the comments received, this recommended alternative was confirmed as the Preferred Alternative – or the preferred route – for the project. Click here to view a high-resolution version of the map. The Preferred Alternative was divided into three sections for study purposes – West, Central and East. The construction of each section will likely be divided into smaller, individual projects and completed as funding becomes available. Current efforts are focused primarily on the West Section. West Section (North B Street to US 127) The West section of NHX begins at North B Street and Rhea Avenue on the west side of the Great Miami River. It extends east over a new bridge across the Great Miami to US 127, near North 2nd Street. In addition to the new bridge, the West Section includes improvements at North B Street and Gordon Avenue, a new roundabout at the intersection of North B Street and Rhea Avenue, and a new roundabout on the east side of the river where the NHX intersects with US 127. Central Section (US 127 to North Fair Avenue) In the Central section, the NHX route follows US 127 south for approximately a quarter mile, then turns southeast and crosses over the CSX railroad tracks and Vine Street before connecting with Heaton Street near North 7th Street. At Heaton and North 11th Street, the route follows a new connection with SR 4 (just south of the fire station), then crosses through the Butler County Educational Service Center’s parking lot and follows Gilmore Avenue to a new roundabout at North Fair Avenue. East Section (North Fair Avenue to SR 129 at Hampshire Drive) From North Fair Avenue, the NHX route runs east between the Butler County Fairgrounds and Butler County Children Services/Juvenile Detention Center properties, then turns southeast and travels past the Humane Society before turning south and crossing Princeton Road to connect with SR 129 via Hampshire Drive. Visit the Process page to learn more about the route selection process. El proyecto Imagine New Circle está analizando de cerca la parte noreste del corredor New Circle, entre Newtown Pike y Richmond Road, para ver cómo se puede mejorar en los próximos años. Estamos analizando posibles mejoras en el transporte y el paisaje urbano, oportunidades para fomentar nuevas viviendas y desarrollos, y formas de apoyar mejor a los negocios existentes y nuevos. Los materiales desarrollados en apoyo del proyecto se enumeran a continuación y se pueden revisar haciendo clic en los enlaces. Se agregarán nuevos materiales a medida que se desarrollen. Railroad Overpass While there are 26 locations in Hamilton where trains cross streets, there are only two grade-separated crossings (South Hamilton overpass and the SR 129 underpass). Studies found that street-level (or at-grade) crossings within the study area are blocked by trains approximately 25% of the day, contributing to road congestion and impacting emergency response time. To provide help improve traffic flow and improve emergency responses, the NHX will include a new railroad overpass. Traffic in the study area stopped at the train crossing on Heaton Street. View of the South Hamilton Crossing railroad overpass (photos courtesy of the City of Hamilton). EXISTING CONDITIONS BREAKOUT PROJECTS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

NHX Stakeholder Committee The NHX Stakeholder Committee consists of individuals representing local organizations, businesses, neighborhoods and other groups that have a vested interest in the NHX project and the area in which it will be located. The Stakeholder Committee meets to review information and data compiled by the project team, discuss potential improvement alternatives, and provide local insights and perspectives to help guide planning and decision-making. Committee members are tasked with: Represent their organization/neighborhood in discussions relating to NHX project development, community goals and anticipated project outcomes; Bringing information from their organization/neighborhood to committee meetings and sharing project updates with their organization/neighborhood; Share their organization’s/neighborhood’s questions, concerns and general feedback with the project development team; Assisting with public outreach efforts, when appropriate, such as sharing project updates, website links, and information about upcoming public input opportunities. Materials from Stakeholder Committee meetings are below. Meeting 4 - October 4, 2022 Meeting 4 Stakeholder Committee Meeting Notes Meeting 4 Presentation Meeting 4 Conceptual Alternatives Overview A through E1 Meeting 4 Conceptual Alternatives Overview AC through BE Meeting 4 Conceptual Alternatives Overview ABE and EBE Meeting 4 Conceptual Alternatives Comparison Summary Meeting 4 Conceptual Alternatives Draft Evaluation Matrix Road Concept - Typical Section Meeting 3 - May 4, 2022 Meeting 3 Stakeholder Committee Meeting Notes Meeting 3 Conceptual Alternatives Overview Meeting 3 Conceptual Alternatives A through E1 Plan Sheets Meeting 3 Conceptual Alternatives AC through BE Plan Sheets Meeting 3 Conceptual Alternatives Draft Evaluation Matrix Meeting 2 - February 2, 2022 Meeting 2 Stakeholder Committee Meeting Notes Meeting 2 Conceptual Alternatives Overview Meeting 2 Conceptual Alternatives Plan Sheets Meeting 2 Conceptual Alternatives Draft Evaluation Matrix Meeting 2 Evaluation Factors Meeting 1 - November 9, 2021 Meeting 1 Stakeholder Committee Notes

Section 106 Consulting Party Consultation & Review As part of the studies being completed for the NHX project, the project team is conducting an assessment to consider the project’s effects on historic properties located in the area (historic properties are defined as resources listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places). Links to the assessment and an addendum are provided below. Phase 1 History / Architecture Survey Report (May 2025) - Archived Report Appendices (May 2025) - Archived Phase 1 History / Architecture Survey Report - Addendum (October 2025) - Archived This assessment was required by Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and included consultation with specific entities entitled to be Section 106 Consulting Parties: Ohio State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) Native American Tribes that attach religious and cultural significance to historic properties which may be affected by the project Local government officials Applicants for federal assistance, permits, licenses and approvals Individuals or organizations with a demonstrated interest in the effect of a project on historic properties or have an interest due to the nature of their legal or economic relationship to the project and affected properties were also invited to participate as Additional Section 106 Consulting Parties. Section 106 Consulting Parties roles included: Assist in the identification of other Consulting Party candidates Help identify historic resources (bring in local expertise) Provide data (additional records/information) Review documents and reports (within deadlines) Voice input and propose mitigation options More information about the Section 106 review process is available here .

FEASIBILITY STUDY Below are links to the North Hamilton Crossing Feasibility Study report and addendum. Feasibility Study (July 2023) - Archived Feasibility Study Report Attachment A: Preliminary Alignments Attachment B: Traffic Analyses Attachment C: Environmental Mapping Attachment D: Build Alternatives with Environmental Features Attachment E: Public Involvement Summary Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Feasibility Study Amendment (December 2024) - Archived

Transportation improvements related to the North Hamilton Crossing in the City of Hamilton, Ohio, that have been advanced separately as independent projects. NHX BREAKOUT PROJECTS Several initiatives connected to the NHX project will improve local mobility and make travel safer while the broader NHX project continues to move through planning and development. These initiatives are being advanced as standalone projects to take advantage of current funding opportunities and to allow the community to enjoy their benefits sooner. West Section NW Washington Roundabouts Located at the intersections of NW Washington, W. Elkton, and North B Street, this project will reconfigure two traditional intersections into roundabouts to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow. New sidewalks and a shared-use path will also be constructed to provide safer travel routes for pedestrians and bicyclists. View Map Estimated Cost: $7M Status: Funded; construction is scheduled to begin in 2027 West Section North B Street Improvements at Rhea and Gordon Avenues Located immediately northeast of the Spooky Nook Sports Champion Mill Conference Center, this project includes constructing a new roundabout at the North B Street/Rhea Avenue intersection and other improvements to reduce congestion and improve local access. A sidewalk and/or shared-use path will also be constructed for pedestrians and bicyclists. View Map Estimated Cost: $7M Status: Funded; construction scheduled to begin in 2030 West Section NHX River Crossing Extending across the Great Miami River from North B Street near Rhea Avenue to US 127 at North 2nd Street, the new NHX bridge will have four travel lanes (two in each direction) to better support current and future traffic needs. The project also includes a new roundabout on the east side of the river crossing, at US 127 and North 2nd Street. A sidewalk and/or shared-use path will be included on the bridge and along its approaches to give pedestrians and bicyclists an easier and safer option for crossing the river and connecting with downtown Hamilton, local neighborhoods, the Spooky Nook Sports Champion Mill & Conference Center, the Hamilton Beltline Recreational Trail and the Great Miami River Trail. View Map Estimated Cost: $34M (includes $2M for design) Status: $450K was received in 2026 for design; an application for an additional $1M for design funding was submitted in early 2026. A determination is expected in fall 2026. Right-of-way and construction funding has not yet been requested. East Section Princeton Rd and Hampshire Drive Roundabout This project will change the intersection of Princeton Road and Hampshire Drive to a single roundabout to improve local traffic flow and travel safety. New sidewalks will be constructed to provide safe travel routes for pedestrians. (When the East Section of the NHX is constructed, this roundabout will be modified to connect with the new NHX road.) View Map Estimated Cost: $7.1M Status: An application for funding has been submitted; a determination is anticipated in October 2026

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Below are links to the components of the North Hamilton Crossing Environmental Assessment ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Environmental Assessment (August 2026) Environmental Assessment Report Appendix A Appendix B SUPPORTING PLANS, DOCUMENTS, AND REPORTS The materials below are presented in the order in which they are listed in Appendix A of the Environmental Assessment. Feasibility Study (July 2023) - Archived Feasibility Study Report Attachment A: Preliminary Alignments Attachment B: Traffic Analyses Attachment C: Environmental Mapping Attachment D: Build Alternatives with Environmental Features Attachment E: Public Involvement Summary Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Feasibility Study Amendment (December 2024) - Archived Purpose & Need Statement (February 2022) - Archived Intersection Control Evaluation (May 2026) - Archived Community Impact Assessment (March 2026) - Archived Relocation Conceptual Study (April 2025) - Archived Farmland Conversion Impact Rating (January 2025) - Archived Regulated Materials Review Screenings Regulated Materials Review Screening - West Section (October 2024) - Archived Regulated Materials Review Screening - Central Section (December 2024, revised) - Archived Regulated Materials Review Screening - East Section (October 2024) - Archived Regulated Materials Review Assessment Report (November 2025) - Archived Qualitative Mobile Source Air Toxics (MSAT) Analysis (June 2025) - Archived Traffic Noise Analysis (September 2025) - Archived Level 1 Ecological Survey - Archived Ecological Survey Report (October 2025) Report Appendices (October 2025) .