Intersections are open and fully operational along the Ohio 4 Bypass in southern Butler County.

And despite some grumblings from the motoring public, they are working, state officials said Monday during a dedication ceremony.

The superstreet design eliminates left hand turns onto the bypass from Symmes, Tylersville and Hamilton-Mason roads. It also prohibits traffic from those roads from crossing the bypass.

All through traffic or those wishing to turn left onto the bypass now proceed to a U-turn in the median. That directs traffic onto the other side of the bypass where they can either head straight or turn right to get to the other end of the side street.

The move, officials say, should prevent accidents. In a typical year there are about 120 to 150 crashes along the bypass.

"This is going to be a safer road,'' said Steve Mary, deputy director of the Ohio Department of Transportation's District 8 office. "It's going to function well."

Not only will the road function well, but its improvement, local officials say, will be a catalyst for further growth.

Fairfield Township trustee Steve Morgan said since construction began more than a year ago, at least three businesses announced plans to build off the bypass - including the Kettering Health Network.

"If the road wasn't done, I don't think we'd have these (businesses) coming here," Morgan said.

Original plans for the bypass called for a four-lane highway but were scrapped due to costs. Construction, instead, began in 1968 on two lanes on the four-lane right-of-way.

Since then traffic signals were added at key intersections as more vehicles began using the bypass as the area developed.

Approximately 53,000 vehicles now travel the 6-mile bypass. The widening and superstreets will allow for up to 60,000 vehicles to travel without delays.

Mary said the superstreet design is also being planned for Ohio 32 and Bells Lane in Clermont County's Eastgate area in 2014 when construction begins on improvements at Interstate 275 and Ohio 32.

Until then, state eyes will be on the bypass as state officials gauge its effectiveness.

Widening of the bypass between Symmes Road to just south of the Ohio 129 interchange - which included the superstreet intersections - has been completed at a cost of $23 million, Mary said.