Posted May 4, 200520 yr I thought I'd just go ahead an start a thread on the deteriorating roadway. It probably won't get fixed for years, but there will be a lot of talk in the meantime. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the viaduct, check of Jake's page at Cincinnati-Transit.net. There are tons of photos there, too: http://www.cincinnati-transit.net/waldvogel.html There will also be a meeting in Lower Price Hill on May 10. This info is from the Price Hill Will! website: Waldvogel Viaduct Open House May 10, 4-7pm at 2104 St. Michael St. in Lower Price Hill See the latest plans for the Viaduct replacement and voice your opinions on issues such as pedestrian walkways and bicycle lanes.
May 11, 200520 yr The meeting is tonight. Channel 12 is reporting that the connections from Elberon and Warsaw will be reconfigured and that those connections will be made directly from River Road. Project cost is $44 million and work is expected to begin in 2009 and last two years.
July 29, 200519 yr This was mentioned in the Brent Spence thread in the story that The_Cincinnati_Kid posted: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=3118.msg43524#msg43524 It looks like it won't start for a few years. Still, the money is promising. WCPO reported on it: Work On L. Price Hill Viaduct Closer Reported by: 9News Web produced by: Mark Sickmiller Photographed by: 9News Last updated: 7/28/2005 5:54:11 PM Crews are closer to fixing and renovating the 6th Street viaduct in Lower Price Hill. $16.5 million in funding for the project has been approved as part of this year's federal transportation bill. While that's a major shot in the arm, more funding is needed. And, the city's engineering department says if all goes well, construction won't begin until 2008. http://www.wcpo.com/news/2005/local/07/28/viaduct.html
October 7, 200519 yr This sounds like a pretty open and shut case, the city should/must give the owner right of way to a public street. Given the facts in the article, it sounds open and shut, but there must be something else going on. Owner wants city to buy locked land By James McNair Enquirer staff writer Eminent domain is a dreaded term in some neighborhoods. But not to the owner of a 30-acre riverfront tract in Queensgate. The owner of that vacant land, Hilltop Basic Resources, filed suit Wednesday to force the city of Cincinnati to begin eminent-domain proceedings against the property. Its rationale? The city won't let it build a driveway connecting the land to River Road, so it wants the city to buy the land. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051007/BIZ01/510070357/1076/BIZ
October 8, 200519 yr This is something that's been going on for a while. I mentioned it in this post of the Random thread. I didn't know what the holdup was, but this makes sense. I don't think the city will look to buy the land. In fact, I can't even guess what might happen. With the viaduct project still somewhat up in the air, who knows.
October 27, 200519 yr The city has some documents from Parsons Brinckerhoff up on its website. These give some indication of what they're going for. http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/transeng/pages/-11270-/
October 27, 200519 yr Yeah, that map doesn't make it easier to understand what they are trying to do. I believe they are trying to bring the Viaduct down to River Rd(which wouldn't make it a Viaduct any longer, I guess) and clean up the entry ways to and from Price Hill. What I don't get is how the road will still have to take you up to get to the various on ramps(I-75 South, Sixth St, etc). This is also suppose open up lower price hill for development. Instead of driving over it, we will be going through it!??!
October 27, 200519 yr About a year ago I found a model of this project at Cincinnati City Hall outside of the planning department. I don't know if it's still there or not.
October 28, 200519 yr Yeah, it doesn't appear to change very much except for the actual viaduct to go away in favor of an 8-lane at grade roadway, the railroad tracks being rerouted and a bike line put in between. It doesn't appear to change the structure of the ramps much and it doesn't appear to add any new developable land. It actually isolates Lower Price Hill more because the only route to US-50 is via State.
January 5, 200619 yr City loses ruling on lot access Landowner wants compensation for denial of right to build driveway By James McNair Enquirer staff writer In a court case pitting the city of Cincinnati against a landowner denied permission to build a driveway to a 30-acre lot on the Ohio River, round one went to the landowner. The Ohio First District Court of Appeals in Cincinnati denied the city's motion to dismiss a request from Hilltop Resources to force the city to begin eminent domain proceedings against its inaccessible land in Queensgate. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060105/BIZ01/601050313/1002/BIZ
January 6, 200619 yr Good. The city should not be able to hinder a person's legal use of his property for a project that may not even break ground for 5 years. The city needs to demonstrate it is acting in good faith and somehow work on a compromise.
March 31, 200619 yr This was posted by someone on an e-mail discussion group.... __________________ In regards to the Cinti-Chicago high-speed line. The real estate where former NYC's Riverside Yard was located (just west of town on River Rd./US50) is up for sale. With a train hub in downtown Cincinnati, if they end up using the one under 2nd St, this would be a great staging and storing area for rolling stock. I would hate to see it go away! Is there anyway this can be put in the pipeline for the state or city to get a hold on it? Also, as some of you may know, the city has plans to re-do the 6th St. Viaduct/Glenway Ave and River Rd. snafu. This involves relocating the CSX and I&O tracks further south, and most likely leveling the former Amtrak Station. The overall point here is, it would be a setback for roadway improvement or other real estate improvements to hinder passengar rail development. Can the word be put out to know that this land has value for rail development? "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 31, 200619 yr These are very slow moving projects. I would think getting the proper people in the know about your concerns shouldn't be problem. There is also a steel yard in that area. The place just got a new sign. I wonder if that is also for sale.
April 1, 200619 yr This is an example of one major problem we are facing in Ohio as plans are made to redevelop passenger rail and expand capacity for freight rail service: we are losing key pieces of rail infrastructure. That includes not only tracks, but even vacant land where rail yards used to be and abandoned rail rights-of-way. And once it's gone, it's gone. Anyone knowing of examples like the one above should get in touch with the Ohio Rail Development Commission in Columbus. You can get information on their website: http://www.dot.state.oh.us/ohiorail/
June 10, 200619 yr The latest news on this project: At the June 8 council meeting, the council unanimously passed an ordinance that does the following: 1) Pledges cooperation with ODOT for the demolition of the current viaduct, the widening of US-50 and the replacement of all connections, ramps, etc. (I believe there will be five new ramp bridges built.) 2) Authorizes the city to provide $9,546,243 to ODOT as the city's 20% contribution. 3) Authorizes the city to foot the bill for 100% of the Preliminary Engineering Phase, which is required. 4) Authorizes the city to pay for any cost overruns for construction deemed unnecessary for the functioning of the project, as determined by the State and the Federal Highway Administration. (For example, if the city wanted the Viaduct lit with neon and paved in solid gold.) As of now, the estimated total cost for the project is $48,722,913. The funding is available in the current six-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), and DOTE will also include provisions for this funding in the 2007-2012 CIP, which will be submitted later this year. So, essentially, the city's share is provided for. So far they have $16.5 million from the feds. That's about $26 million. I don't believe any state funds have been earmarked for the projects, or at least I haven't seen any. I'm not sure on any of these state or federal numbers, though, so don't hold me to it.
July 1, 200618 yr From the 7/1/06 Enquirer: Court: Cincinnati must pay for blocking riverfront land BY JAMES MCNAIR | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER If the city of Cincinnati proceeds with a road project that deprives a 30-acre riverfront tract of access to a public street, it must pay the landowner, a state appeals court ruled Friday. With a 3-0 opinion by the Ohio First District Court of Appeals in Cincinnati, Hilltop Basic Resources improved its chances for self-inflicted eminent domain. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060701/NEWS01/607010350/1056
July 2, 200618 yr "The city of Cincinnati has denied access to a piece of property, leaving it landlocked - not just figuratively, but literally," he wrote. "The only access would be by boat. Cincinnati not being Waterworld, boat access is not sufficient." Judge Painter is hilarious! If you have never seen him in court, he has a great sense of humor.
August 12, 200717 yr Bortz offers newest motion to stop Queensgate Terminals Building Cincinnati, 8/9/07 City Councilmember Chris Bortz has introduced a motion asking for the City to cease negotiations with Queensgate Terminals (Queensgate) and to investigate using the land for residences or for a public park.* The City's negotiations with Queensgate are a requirement of the settlement of a court case involving 30 acres of land along the Ohio River in Lower Price Hill. The owner of the land, Hilltop Basic Resources, claimed that the City's appropriation of land for the future rebuilding of the Waldvogel Viaduct would impede access to their property. The court ruled that, in addition to purchasing the land for $5 million, the City had to negotiate a lease with Queensgate for its use. Queensgate plans to use this land for a multi-modal shipping facility that will feed freight to a larger facility that they're developing near Jeffersonville, Ohio. Bortz would like for all industrial uses of the property to be cleared away immediately and for the Department of Community Development and Planning to begin a study to determine the feasibility of residential or recreational uses. Failure on the City's part to enter into a lease with Queensgate would mean that the City would have to find another way to fund the maintenance of a $5 million site that has no tenant. They could also face legal damages of $1 million or more, plus legal fees. As part of his motion, Bortz would like to protect all neighborhood funds from any potential monetary penalties. On March 7, Councilman John Cranley introduced a motion that any proposed lease should be rejected and that the property should be used as greenspace. Cranley's motion was signed by all 9 Council members. An ordinance regarding the lease later died in committee. Bortz's motion has been passed to the City Manager's office for a report. There is no timetable for return. Design work for the Waldvogel Viaduct is expected to be completed in 2009 with construction beginning in 2011. Further reading, including maps and aerials: BC: City against riverside intermodal terminal, faces legal penalties (6/15/07) * The motion was also signed by Councilmember Chris Monzel. http://buildingcincinnati.blogspot.com/2007/08/bortz-offers-newest-motion-to-stop.html
September 12, 200717 yr Barge plan appears doomed BY JANE PRENDERGAST | CINCINNATI ENQUIRER September 11, 2007 LOWER PRICE HILL - Residents fighting for months against the possible redevelopment of a Lower Price Hill gravel company into new industry got more city help today than they expected. A proposal on the agenda for discussion by Cincinnati City Council’s economic development committee would have recommended stopping all negotiations with Queensgate Terminals, the company that proposed putting a river-to-railroad barge facility on a strip of riverside property. Company officials insisted the city could see millions in revenue via barge fees.
September 13, 200717 yr Redeveloping it into another industry that likely would produce little for the city in income tax revenue “doesn’t justify the potential damage to the residents along the riverfront there.” I'm not siding either way on this, but industrial uses provide more tax revenue than anything else. (And certainly more than a park.) In a city that lacks much developable industrial space, I don't think it's fair to just brush off industrial uses as unworthy of consideration.
September 13, 200717 yr I agree...but I think the city has to decide what areas they are going to pursue with industrial developments, and then designate them accordingly. Create some designated corridors and/or districts, just so that everyone can be clear on where these projects may or may not take place. I certainly understand the concerns of the LPH residents who don't want the added traffic, pollution, etc in their community. Hell if people in Sycamore Twp can successfully fight a parking lot then I think that these residents can fight this. *Note I'm not attacking you grasscat...I understand your position/point. I'm just making my own separate point on this issue.
March 13, 200916 yr OKI awarded $1,075,000 to relocate four railroad tracks in preparation of Waldvogel Viaduct replacement. http://www.oki.org/pdf/stimulusweb/infrastucture.pdf
May 14, 200916 yr Cincinnati approves Waldvogel appropriations http://www.building-cincinnati.com/2009/05/cincinnati-approves-waldvogel.html Cincinnati City Council has passed unanimously an ordinance allowing the City to appropriate property for the $64 million Waldvogel Viaduct replacement. The property is required for the project's first phase in spring 2010, which would relocate four railroad tracks south of River Road between State Avenue and Evans Street approximately 100 feet south. No buildings would be affected by the move. In spring 2011, the current viaduct could then be replaced with five new bridges and roadway on grade, with River Road being rebuilt to current design standards. The entire project would be completed by the end of 2012. So far, $50 million in state and federal funding has been secured for the project.
June 15, 200916 yr Cincinnati passes ordinance for Waldvogel relocations http://www.building-cincinnati.com/2009/06/cincinnati-passes-ordinance-for.html Cincinnati City Council has passed unanimously an ordinance allowing the City to appropriate property for the $6 million relocation of four sets of railroad tracks, which will make way for the replacement of the Waldvogel Viaduct. The ordinance follows a resolution approving the appropriation passed by council on May 6. The approximately 6.11 acres are required to move the railroad tracks, located south of River Road between State Avenue and Evans Street, approximately 100 feet south as part of the replacement's first phase. Council also is considering an ordinance that would allow the City to enter into a local public agency agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), a signal that the City intends to follow ODOT guidelines for construction of the project and a condition for receiving federal funding. The $5.035 million in federal funding consists of $3.96 million in Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI) Federal Surface Transportation Program funds and $1.075 million in OKI Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding. The remainder of the project will be funded through the City's Waldvogel Viaduct Replacement '07 capital improvement program project account. A second phase, scheduled to begin in spring 2011, would construct five new bridges and an at-grade roadway for US-50 and would re-align River Road to current design standards. The entire $64 million project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2012. So far, $50 million in state and federal funding has been secured for the project.
July 2, 200915 yr Cincinnati makes decisions on Waldvogel, Hamilton http://www.building-cincinnati.com/2009/07/cincinnati-makes-decisions-on-waldvogel.html Cincinnati City Council has approved an ordinance allowing the City to enter into a local public agency (LPA) agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) for the $6 million Waldvogel Viaduct railroad relocation project, which will move the four railroad tracks located south of River Road, between State Avenue and Evans Street, 100 feet to the south. The agreement serves as a promise that the City will follow ODOT guidelines in completing the relocation, and is a prerequisite for the City receiving over $5 million in federal funding through the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI). Last month, council approved the appropriation of 6.11 acres of property for the project. The relocation will make way replacement of the viaduct, consisting of five new bridges and an at-grade roadway for US-50 and the realignment of River Road to current design standards. Construction on the roadway is scheduled to begin in spring 2011 and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2012. The entire project is estimated to cost $64 million, and more than $50 million in state and federal funding already has been secured. So far, $50 million in state and federal funding has been secured for the project. Hamilton Avenue improvements In other business, council passed unanimously an ordinance to appropriate 1.2 acres of property for the Hamilton Avenue Improvement Project between Ashtree and Southridge drives in College Hill and Northside. A resolution announcing the City's intent to appropriate the property was passed by council in March. The project, which is already under construction, will widen the road by two feet, provide left-turn lanes at signalized intersections, add street lights, traffic signals, signage, and new curbs and sidewalks. Work is being funded with $4.6 million in OKI and Ohio Public Works Commission money.
May 5, 201114 yr Nice to see public safety taking a back seat to out of town republicans personal interests. The more things change. the more they stay the same. Lawmaker: No deal, no new viaduct http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110504/NEWS0108/105050311/
May 5, 201114 yr I believe that budget amendment would be illegal, no? Quid pro quo's for private developers should at least be unethical.
May 5, 201114 yr ^It's obviously not the first time this has happened in the new general assembly. I'm not sure how the judicial review process works in Ohio. A citizen or the attorney general may have to challenge the amendment. Anyone out there with a law background care to comment?
December 19, 201113 yr Thanks for the shots. I deal with this everyday. Sorry to see the cement supports replacing steel. I still can't figure out how it's going to connect to Elberon and Warsaw.
December 19, 201113 yr http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/transeng/pages/-11270-/ Plan: http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/transeng/downloads/transeng_eps11534.pdf
December 19, 201113 yr So you won't be able to get directly from State to Warsaw.... wonderful connectivity... :roll:
December 19, 201113 yr Eh, I say good riddens to the Waldvogel. Narrow lanes, sharp bends, and very poor sight distances. I could not even imagine how the viaduct would handle today if those blind entrance ramps were still in operation today! I do appreciate how the bike path is being reserved for future construction.
December 19, 201113 yr The whole of New York City has roads with ramps like the Waldvogel Viaduct. Maybe we should try to be more like NYC, since it is the world's most important city.
December 19, 201113 yr Nah... we'd rather just make all of our roadways to high-speed, rural standards so cars never need to slow down.
December 19, 201113 yr I'm confused. Do you want to make these ramps pedestrian-friendly urban streets? They are, after all, off-ramps at the end of the 6th street Expressway.
July 11, 201212 yr ^ I think people just want the highway to conform to the city, rather than the other way around. If that means making the 6th street expressway a little less efficient, so be it.
August 15, 201212 yr I think they're waiting on the 6th St. Expressway work to get to the next phase before tearing down the viaduct. I was there today and they are paving the new River Rd. as we speak. I'll bet we'll see the viaduct closed around Halloween and done and gone by Christmas. The pillars with no beams on them now will remain so until the viaduct is gone and new pillars can be built where it is now.
January 23, 201312 yr Photo update...the whole thing might be down by the end of this week, next week for sure. http://www.urbancincy.com/2013/01/photos-55m-waldvogel-viaduct-reconstruction-nearing-completion/
January 24, 201312 yr "I'll bet we'll see the viaduct closed around Halloween and done and gone by Christmas." So you were off by about a month.
January 24, 201312 yr Eh, I say good riddens to the Waldvogel. Narrow lanes, sharp bends, and very poor sight distances. I could not even imagine how the viaduct would handle today if those blind entrance ramps were still in operation today! I do appreciate how the bike path is being reserved for future construction. Agreed, but I will miss it from an aesthetic point of view. It was a beautiful structure that imparted a sense of urban grit. I remember staring at it in awe en route to Reds games as a child.
June 16, 201410 yr I saw that this morning. I was surprised to see those painted, much less in red. Won't the red paint just attract even more graffiti than the plain concrete would have? (The new Monmouth Street overpass has been tagged multiple times and they've painted over it with grey paint each time.)
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