So they're really going to make this 8 lane bridge with bike lanes or was that more of a concept? That thing would end up being wider than 75.

1 hour ago, ryanlammi said:

It's probably using a percentage of the sales tax revenue to provide the local match to get federal/state grants. I don't know what grants are readily available, but I'm sure this project would perform well against others in a competitive grant process.

They updated the article, and CBC also had their own.

It's bonds. Issue $205 million in bonds next year and pay them off by reserving $8.2 million of the transit infrastructure fund over the next 25 years.

Total requests for the other 29 projects was ~$25.3 million. The CBC article mention that it is projected to raise $30.3 million, so there's about $3.2 million short to fund every project. Not clear what didn't receive approval.

9 minutes ago, RealAdamP said:

So they're really going to make this 8 lane bridge with bike lanes or was that more of a concept? That thing would end up being wider than 75.

No bike lanes. The south separated sidewalk will be a shared use path that's 14 feet wide. The north sidewalk is 8 feet wide by comparison.

I don't know which page is the right place for this but it's related to the current discussion here:

Remaining funding for $335 million Western Hills Viaduct lined up

 

The funding package for the Western Hills Viaduct will be complete later this month after the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority approves $205 million in funding from the recent Hamilton County transportation tax.

 

SORTA will allocate $8.5 million in funding each year for the next 25 years. The board that oversees SORTA has the power to approve funding from the 0.8% sales tax passed by voters in 2020 for a $100 million expansion of Metro bus services and provides $30.3 million each year for transportation projects throughout the county.

 

A SORTA committee voted unanimously for funding for the viaduct and more than two dozen other projects on Tuesday. Final approval is expected to come on Sept. 21.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2021/09/14/remaining-western-hills-viaduct-funding-lined-up.html

 

With cash in hand, city, county hope to speed up Western Hills Viaduct project

 

The current estimates for completion of the Western Hills Viaduct project call for it to be completed by 2028, but with full funding now available through Hamilton County’s transportation sales tax, Mayor John Cranley said the timetable should be moved up.

 

The new viaduct itself will take four years to build, City Manager Paula Boggs Muething said. But first, a nearby Duke Energy substation has to be relocated. The new bridge will be located south of the current bridge.

 

“The only thing stopping us now is the relocation of the substation that Duke owns and some negotiations with the railroads,” Cranley told reporters on Tuesday. “The money is there. I appreciate that our folks here are saying that we could be done as late as 2028. But if Duke and the railroads work with us faster, we can get moving a lot faster and have this thing done in the next four years instead of seven years. I’m publicly and belovedly calling them out to ask them for their help to speed this along.”

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2021/09/16/with-cash-in-hand-city-hopes-to-speed-up-western.html

 

In the $1.5 trillion Federal appropriations bill that was passed yesterday, the City of Cincinnati received $1 million for the WHV. It was sponsored by Senator Brown.

This is quite the update. Total lanes remains at 8 but 2, presumably the local lanes, will be dedicated to buses.
 

 

This is my current thinking for awhile now: The current design is good for transit and pedestrians because it would keep local transit and the pedestrian pathway away from the interstate on-ramp intersections. It they shrunk it down this might be the thing that gets changed for the worse. 

Perhaps Fairmount will get the first streetcar extension after all

Edited April 4, 20223 yr by thebillshark

On 4/4/2022 at 12:03 PM, thebillshark said:

This is my current thinking for awhile now: The current design is good for transit and pedestrians because it would keep local transit and the pedestrian pathway away from the interstate on-ramp intersections. It they shrunk it down this might be the thing that gets changed for the worse. 

Perhaps Fairmount will get the first streetcar extension after all

The current design for the new bridge is certainly better but I don't think it's particularly good. If they put transit priority lights or jump lanes at both local intersections, then yeah that's good. Only having bike access on one side of the bridge is also not good because that means people have to cross a massive intersection to use it. They probably won't do that and instead ride on the pedestrian only section on the north side. Intermingling pedestrian and bicycle traffic is also not good, especially the folks using this will likely be using ebikes.

2 hours ago, Dev said:

The current design for the new bridge is certainly better but I don't think it's particularly good. If they put transit priority lights or jump lanes at both local intersections, then yeah that's good. Only having bike access on one side of the bridge is also not good because that means people have to cross a massive intersection to use it. They probably won't do that and instead ride on the pedestrian only section on the north side. Intermingling pedestrian and bicycle traffic is also not good, especially the folks using this will likely be using ebikes.

Well I’ve left feedback for the city at every opportunity that they need wide paths for mixed bike and pedestrian use on both the north and south sides of the new Viaduct every chance I had, told them in person, even emailed the Tri State Trails people to try to get them to lobby for that…

 

my point is people have been attacking this design for being too wide with perhaps not thinking of the tradeoffs. If the interstate and local lanes were somehow combined for less total lanes, it would be potentially more difficult to navigate for pedestrians, potentially more dangerous, and slower for transit.  If there were less local lanes then there is no chance of ever having dedicated transit lanes. 

Edited April 5, 20223 yr by thebillshark

1 hour ago, thebillshark said:

Well I’ve left feedback for the city at every opportunity that they need wide paths for mixed bike and pedestrian use on both the north and south sides of the new Viaduct every chance I had, told them in person, even emailed the Tri State Trails people to try to get them to lobby for that…

 

my point is people have been attacking this design for being too wide with perhaps not thinking of the tradeoffs. If the interstate and local lanes were somehow combined for less total lanes, it would be potentially more difficult to navigate for pedestrians, potentially more dangerous, and slower for transit.  If there were less local lanes then there is no chance of ever having dedicated transit lanes. 

Okay I gotcha. I agree that it definitely could be a hell of a lot worse.

Western Hills Viaduct funding: Major questions persist after city lands massive federal grant

By Chris Wetterich  –  Staff reporter and columnist, Cincinnati Business Courier

Sep 13, 2022

 

In 2021, state, county and local officials proclaimed at a packed, sun-drenched news conference in South Fairmont that the $335 million Western Hills Viaduct project was fully funded.

 

Back then, the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority was set to approve $205 million in funding over the next 25 years for the project through the Hamilton County sales tax, nearly two-thirds of the cost.

 

“The money is there,” then-Mayor John Cranley said almost a year ago on Sept. 16, 2021, adding any additional non-local funding obtained could jump-start the project.

 

But now, three days after Ohio’s two U.S. senators announced a massive, $127 million infusion of cash for the project through a federal grant, a city fact sheet shows the cost of the project has skyrocketed by 20% to nearly $400 million, and the SORTA grant won’t cover as much of the total as previously stated, according to a frequently-asked-questions page posted to the city’s website Monday.

 

MORE

32 minutes ago, The_Cincinnati_Kid said:

Western Hills Viaduct funding: Major questions persist after city lands massive federal grant

By Chris Wetterich  –  Staff reporter and columnist, Cincinnati Business Courier

Sep 13, 2022

 

In 2021, state, county and local officials proclaimed at a packed, sun-drenched news conference in South Fairmont that the $335 million Western Hills Viaduct project was fully funded.

 

Back then, the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority was set to approve $205 million in funding over the next 25 years for the project through the Hamilton County sales tax, nearly two-thirds of the cost.

 

“The money is there,” then-Mayor John Cranley said almost a year ago on Sept. 16, 2021, adding any additional non-local funding obtained could jump-start the project.

 

But now, three days after Ohio’s two U.S. senators announced a massive, $127 million infusion of cash for the project through a federal grant, a city fact sheet shows the cost of the project has skyrocketed by 20% to nearly $400 million, and the SORTA grant won’t cover as much of the total as previously stated, according to a frequently-asked-questions page posted to the city’s website Monday.

 

MORE

 

Cracks me up how everyone is shocked and asking questions about 20% increase. The whole entire construction industry is seeing 20-30% cost increases due to material and labor cost skyrocketing. They need to buck up and get the project done before the cost balloon anymore instead of squabbling about the price.

It is my understanding that five construction manager teams  for the Viaduct submitted proposals to the City  and the selection is to be made in the next week.  

Any word on who the contactors will be?

If additional funding can't be secured to meet the funding shortfall, could that lead to design changes? Would be really nice to go back to the drawing board with this one. 

On 9/13/2022 at 9:56 AM, savadams13 said:

 

Cracks me up how everyone is shocked and asking questions about 20% increase. The whole entire construction industry is seeing 20-30% cost increases due to material and labor cost skyrocketing. They need to buck up and get the project done before the cost balloon anymore instead of squabbling about the price.

I would normally agree with this but I do think construction costs may be about to hit a tipping point where projects are going to start to be delayed/cancelled or scaled back at the least. I read an article that costs are so high right now the Biden Infrastructure bill is not going to be nearly as effective as planned.

Subject: Progress Update: Western Hills Viaduct Replacement Project
 
Good Afternoon: As this year comes to a close, we are reaching out to share an update on the Western Hills Viaduct replacement project. It’s official! The city this week accepted and appropriated several grants totaling $154. 1 million 
Good Afternoon:

 

As this year comes to a close, we are reaching out to share an update on the Western Hills Viaduct replacement project.
It’s official! The city this week accepted and appropriated several grants totaling $154.1 million for the project, including the federal Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant announced in September. Construction of the new bridge is fully funded based on the current total project estimate of $398 million. 

Also, this week, the city issued Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to a short-listed group of contractors interested in serving as the project’s construction manager. Proposals are due in January and the project team expects to select the construction manager by the end of the first quarter. As previously announced, the RFP follows our Request for Qualifications in the summer. After reviewing qualifications from five contractors this fall, the team has invited three to submit proposals. 
Meanwhile, site preparation for the new bridge is moving along as planned. 

 

The city finalized the acquisition of the last property on the west side of the project site in November. On the east side, demolition of the ChemPack property on Spring Grove Avenue is expected to begin in the spring. As you may know, this will be the site for the new Duke Energy substation that will be relocated from south of the existing viaduct to the north of it. 

 

Looking ahead, the project team will continue detailed design on the bridge throughout 2023, which will include significant input from the construction manager once the firm is hired. Likewise, the Ohio Department of Transportation will continue work on detailed designs for the new Interstate 75 interchange that will connect to the new bridge. 

We will continue to provide periodic updates as the project progresses. Please visit our project website to learn more: https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/WHV

Let us know if you have any questions. 

Happy holidays,
 
Ursula Thomas Miller
Communications Manager
Department of Transportation & Engineering
 

Here's the full funding breakdown. I wonder what the final cost is going to end up being considering construction isn't scheduled to be completed until 2030 (Note- this doesn't include another $170m for the ramps that will connect the WHV to I-75)

Cincinnati, Hamilton County pick construction manager for Western Hills Viaduct

 

Cincinnati and Hamilton County have picked a two companies based in Westerville and Chicago, respectively, to build the $398 million Western Hills Viaduct replacement.

 

A joint venture between Chicago-based Walsh Group and Westerville-based Kokosing Construction Co. will build the project, which includes a new bridge to replace the current span.

 

Government officials are negotiating a contract with the companies to begin pre-construction services this year. The process started with a request for qualifications and then a request for proposals.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2023/03/31/western-hills-viaduct-builder-picked.html

 

Someone told me that is the same contractor team that is bidding on the Brent Spence.  

Has anyone seen any cost updates about this project? The most recent estimate of $398,000,000 (not including $170,000,000 for connection to 75) was in early 2022. Since then, the National Highway Construction Cost Index is up 42%.

 

For comparison ODOT's inflation estimates for the BSB are- FY 2023 (5.9%), 2024 (4.4%), 2025 (2%)

9 hours ago, thomasbw said:

Has anyone seen any cost updates about this project? The most recent estimate of $398,000,000 (not including $170,000,000 for connection to 75) was in early 2022. Since then, the National Highway Construction Cost Index is up 42%.

 

For comparison ODOT's inflation estimates for the BSB are- FY 2023 (5.9%), 2024 (4.4%), 2025 (2%)

This doesn't answer your question directly, but back in October City Council approved an ordinance asking for authorization to apply to 3 grants for the WHV:

1. Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant Program - $501 million
2. Bridge Investment program - $386 million
3. Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program - $50 million
4. Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) - $70 million

I know they did not get the RCP grant and I can't find the definitive results for the other 2 federal programs. The TRAC update won't happen until February.

 

ODOT's Ellis page has it at $538,826,958.43 total with $459,476,056.00 just for construction.

The TRAC application states a total project cost of $608.4 million with $522.1 million for construction but it dates from May 31st. It also has an inflation estimate of $728 million which dates from February 22, 2024.

^Wow, thanks for the info. In 2015, the cost estimate was $240 million. 200% increase in 10 years seems bad. 

 

 

Edited January 23Jan 23 by thomasbw

On 1/22/2025 at 3:18 PM, Dev said:

This doesn't answer your question directly, but back in October City Council approved an ordinance asking for authorization to apply to 3 grants for the WHV:

1. Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant Program - $501 million
2. Bridge Investment program - $386 million
3. Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program - $50 million
4. Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) - $70 million

I know they did not get the RCP grant and I can't find the definitive results for the other 2 federal programs. The TRAC update won't happen until February.

 

ODOT's Ellis page has it at $538,826,958.43 total with $459,476,056.00 just for construction.

The TRAC application states a total project cost of $608.4 million with $522.1 million for construction but it dates from May 31st. It also has an inflation estimate of $728 million which dates from February 22, 2024.

Looks like the cost is up to $900 million

On 1/22/2025 at 3:18 PM, Dev said:

This doesn't answer your question directly, but back in October City Council approved an ordinance asking for authorization to apply to 3 grants for the WHV:

1. Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant Program - $501 million

2. Bridge Investment program - $386 million

3. Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program - $50 million

4. Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) - $70 million

I know they did not get the RCP grant and I can't find the definitive results for the other 2 federal programs. The TRAC update won't happen until February.

 

ODOT's Ellis page has it at $538,826,958.43 total with $459,476,056.00 just for construction.

The TRAC application states a total project cost of $608.4 million with $522.1 million for construction but it dates from May 31st. It also has an inflation estimate of $728 million which dates from February 22, 2024.

The city and county have submitted another TRAC application dated 5/30/2025, after failing to get money from the 2024 round. It states that detailed design is in progress with an expected completion date of 6/12/2026. It also lists the total public investment at $1,015,000,00 which is estimated to have a present value of $1,865,000,000. The request itself is for $50 million of construction costs in FY28. The total construction estimate has risen to $626 million.

ODOT's Ellis page has it at $706.5 million with $650 million for construction.

OKI just updated their TIP yesterday with an estimated total project cost of $785,628,730. The bulk of that is $536,540,077 for construction in FY27.