Drivers on Cincinnati Dayton Road in Liberty Township need to ease off the gas. The speed limit between Liberty Way and Princeton Road dropped from 40 mph to 35 mph on Wednesday, July 22, and crews are installing new signs along the corridor.
The Butler County Engineer's Office announced the change, citing a traffic study that found the reduction warranted for safety. The office described the stretch as "heavily congested," noting that pedestrians, cyclists, e-scooter riders, and vehicles all share the road to reach nearby schools, restaurants, and businesses.
The office did not release the full traffic study or specify what data triggered the review.
Who made the call
Butler County Engineer Greg Wilkens, P.E., P.S., oversees the county road network serving all 13 Butler County townships, including Liberty Township. His office's Traffic Division conducts speed studies using traffic counts and crash data to evaluate whether posted limits should change, according to the BCEO website. No spokesperson issued a named statement on this particular reduction.
What it means for the corridor
The affected stretch of Cincinnati Dayton Road runs through one of Liberty Township's busiest mixed-use areas. The road connects residential neighborhoods to shopping centers, restaurants, and Lakota Schools campuses. Lowering the limit by 5 mph gives drivers roughly one additional second of stopping distance at speed, a margin that matters on a road shared with people on foot and on bikes.
The corridor was the site of a serious crash in October 2025, when a 13-year-old Lakota Schools student was struck by an SUV while riding his bike through a crosswalk at Cincinnati-Dayton Road and Linn Road. The boy was taken to UC West Chester Hospital with suspected serious injuries. The engineer's office has not publicly connected that incident to the speed study.
New limit effective immediately
The 35 mph speed limit took effect Wednesday, July 22. Drivers should watch for new signage between Liberty Way and Princeton Road. The prior 40 mph limit no longer applies.
Residents with questions can contact the Butler County Engineer's Office at 513-867-5744 or [email protected]. The office at 1921 Fairgrove Ave. in Hamilton is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
