FAIRBORN — The City of Fairborn recently implemented new traffic patterns to some neighborhood roadways as part of a study for local vehicular pathways.

Ohio Street, South Street and Greene Street have been limited to right-turns only onto Broad Street since Jan. 23 as part of a study in which the results will be used to determine a long-term solution in reducing the amount of traffic travelling down residential neighborhoods. The right-turn restriction will be implemented for 90 days since the start of the study with an expected completion date set for April 23.

The differing traffic pattern resulted in a 28 percent reduction in neighborhood traffic as of day 30 of the study. That percentage was determined by calculating the amount of traffic that travelled through those four areas of concern before the study started compared to counting cars in the same areas once again 30 days into the experiment.

“We’ve heard from residents that they’re happy and they’ve notice the reduction in traffic,” Fairborn City Engineer Don O’Connor said. “The Traffic Safety Committee has met within the last couple of weeks to discuss these findings.”

While the temporary barricades are meant to mimic a possible permanent solution, it is too early to determine a resolution that will stand the test of time. City officials must complete cost estimating, which will provide insight into the funding of such project — the who and how the dollars will come to fruition and possibly putting a halt on the project altogether.

The city must also work to ensure that traffic patterns undertaken by Fairborn City School buses and Waste Management will remain uninterrupted if the temporary barricades are made into a permanent solution.

“The schedule for any permanent fix is unclear at this point,” O’Connor said. “Typically … capitol improvement projects [are] planned, most of the time, years in advance. At the least, it’s a year time-frame to identify a budget, get the plans together and get the construction done. Residents shouldn’t expect something to be changed permanently in the next few months. It’s likely going to be awhile before we can get something permanent on the ground.”