'Lunken to Salem' trail underway

Construction of a key section of the Ohio River Trail between Cincinnati and its eastern suburbs is now underway.

The link between Lunken Airport and the Magrish Nature Preserve, known as "Lunken to Salem" and estimated to cost just more than $1 million, will allow cyclists and pedestrians to cross the Little Miami River – and eventually connect to the Little Miami Scenic Trail.

As part of the project, a westbound lane across the Kellogg Avenue bridge will be repurposed, turning it into a dedicated lane. Two westbound travel lanes will be maintained for motorists.

When completed this fall, cyclists, pedestrians and joggers will be able to use the trail to travel between Schmidt Field, completed in March 2011, and Magrish.

There are currently 4.1 miles of Ohio River Trail completed, with another 3.4 miles in the design phase. Eventually, the trail will be extended to New Richmond.

As envisioned, the Ohio River Trail will connect the Little Miami Scenic Trail with Smale Riverfront Park and a park at the confluence of the Ohio River and Mill Creek, where it would connect with the proposed Mill Creek Greenway Trail and Western Riverwalk.

Previous reading on BC:
New section of Ohio River Trail open (3/24/11)
Open house to share recommendations for key regional bike link (2/28/11)
Congress-Carrel hike-bike trail segment beginning soon (7/7/10)
Cincinnati approves LPA with ODOT for Ohio River Trail segment (11/18/09)
Agreement near for Lunken-Salem section of Ohio River Trail (11/4/09)