Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Agreement near for Lunken-Salem section of Ohio River Trail

Cincinnati City Council is considering an ordinance that would authorize it to enter into a local public agency (LPA) agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation for the portion of Ohio River Trail between Wilmer Avenue/Lunken Airport and the Magrish Preserve on Salem Road.

The LPA would make the City eligible for $2.2 million in SAFETEA-LU funding through the Federal Highway Administration to build the nearly half-mile long section of hike-bike trail, a $2.75 million project that would also include the restriping of the Kellogg Avenue Bridge, realignment of the ramp from westbound Salem Road to Kellogg Avenue, and sidewalk improvements.

The balance of the project's funding will come from existing Department of Transportation and Engineering capital improvement program project accounts.

Currently in the environmental impact phase, construction is scheduled to begin in 2012.

Another half-mile segment between Wilmer Avenue and Carrel Street received $1.75 million in federal economic stimulus funding and could begin construction early next year.

As envisioned, the Ohio River Trail would connect Downtown with the Little Miami Scenic Trail, and eventually to Lake Erie.

Previous reading on BC:
Cincinnati says 'yes' to Ohio River Trail funds (5/28/09)
Stimulus funds could go to Ohio River Trail (5/20/09)
Planning begins to connect Ohio River Trail to Little Miami (11/12/08)
Cincinnati council supports Ohio River Trail (3/19/08)
City seeking comments for river trail funds (11/16/07)