OKI Awards More Than $31 Million for Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Projects
Cincinnati, Ohio – Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI) Board President and Butler County Commissioner T.C. Rogers announced today the award of more than $31 million to be distributed to 13 transportation projects in Ohio.
“Once again, through consensus, the board of OKI has delivered a $31 million infrastructure package that will advance not only Ohio, but the eight-county region,” said Rogers. “Today’s awards make possible needed efficiency improvements in our transportation network, while also lessening our environmental impact and enhancing quality of life.”
The funds were allocated through the Ohio apportionment of the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program. CMAQ funds support projects that help meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act by reducing congestion and improving air quality.
The CMAQ funding will assist bike and pedestrian projects, including Great Parks of Hamilton County’s Beechmont Avenue extension of the Little Miami Scenic Trail. Also awarded was the City of Cincinnati’s Uptown SMART Center, a multi-modal facility that features high-tech amenities. Other funded projects optimize traffic signals and incorporate roundabouts to ease congestion.
“OKI understands that a multi-modal transportation network is key to a vibrant region,” says OKI’s CEO Mark Policinski. “Nearly all of these projects boast a bike and pedestrian component, and four of the projects are multi-use trails. As is again clear in this round of CMAQ funding, OKI will continue investing in our communities’ multi-modal and active transportation projects to improve access, sustainability and economic opportunity across our region.”
OKI is a council of local governments, business organizations and community groups committed to developing collaborative strategies, plans and programs to improve the quality of life and economic development potential of the Tri-State.
Awarded Projects
Aicholtz Road Roundabouts
Roundabouts at Eastgate Square Drive, Glen Este-Withamsville Rd (west) and Glen Este-Withamsville Rd (east). Includes new sidewalks.
Project Applicant: Clermont County TID
Amount Funded: $5,000,000
Transit Rolling Stock Replacement
Replacement of ten 40’ diesel buses.
Project Applicant: SORTA
Amount Funded: $3,103,400
Countryside YMCA Trail Extension and Realignment
Construct a paved multi-use path from the existing path at the intersection of Deerfield and East St. to existing trail at the YMCA. Extend path south to Turtlecreek Union Road and over Byp 48 to Bike Park.
Project Applicant: City of Lebanon
Amount Funded: $927,755
South Gilmore/I-275 Ramp “Y” Improvements
Extend existing southbound drop lane and add additional turn lane for ramp to WB I-275.
Project Applicant: City of Fairfield
Amount Funded: $784,000
Little Miami Scenic Trail-Beechmont Connector
Construct 12’ wide multi-use trail from the existing trail termini north of Beechmont Avenue, crossing Little Miami River via new bridge utilizing existing bridge foundations.
Project Applicant: Hamilton County Great Parks
Amount Funded: $4,320,000
Montgomery Road Corridor Improvements
Upgrade signals at Highland Avenue, Sampson Lane and Elwynne Drive. Retrofit signal at Plainfield. Access Management improvements. Sidewalks updated to become ADA compliant.
Project Applicant: Village of Silverton
Amount Funded: $2,374,845
Oxford Area Trail 3
Segment D, Chestnut Connector, Segment B east and High School Connector.
Project Applicant: City of Oxford
Amount Funded: $1,500,000
Pfeiffer Road and Deerfield Road Roundabout
Replace the existing 4-way stop at Pfeiffer and Deerfield with a roundabout.
Project Applicant: City of Montgomery
Amount Funded: $893,575
SR 132 and US 50 intersections
Add turn lanes and upgrade signals with interconnection at the two intersections of US50 and SR132. Sidewalks updated to become ADA compliant.
Project Applicant: Village of Owensville
Amount Funded: $1,572,123
Thorton Ave Improvements
Dedicated crossing for pedestrian and bicycle movement across River Road and the railroads where none exists today.
Project Applicant: City of Cincinnati
Amount Funded: $923,460
Signal System
Upgrade traffic signal system with new equipment and software.
Project Applicant: City of Mt. Healthy
Amount Funded: $923,287
Uptown SMART Center
Multi-modal transportation facility with Metro fixed route bus hub with amenities.
Project Applicant: City of Cincinnati
Amount Funded: $6,600,000
US 42 Roundabouts
Convert two existing stop-controlled “T” intersections (US42 @ Bethany and US42 @ Mason-Morrow-Millgrove Rd) to roundabouts. Construct a multi-use path.
Project Applicant: City of Mason
Amount Funded: $2,751,535