An old project schedule from March 2008:

 

 

According to the latest posted schedule:

 

* Work on the Mitchell Ave./I-75 and Colerain/I-74 interchanges will be complete by Sept. 2014.

* Reconstruction on I-75 from the Western Hills Viaduct to the new Monmouth St. overpass will start next month and be complete by Sept. 2016. This includes the new Hopple St. overpass.

* Reconstruction on I-75 from Monmouth St. to Mitchell Ave. won't start until March 2024 and won't be complete until August 2027.

* Reconstruction on I-75 from Mitchell Ave. to the Norwood Lateral won't start until March 2025 and won't be complete until May 2026.

* They haven't even set a timeline yet for the reconstruction of I-75 from the Norwood Lateral to the Trickle Down Turnpike.

 

The latest update from the Mill Creek Expressway site:

 

* Work on the Mitchell Ave./I-75 interchange will be completed in June 2015.

* Work on the Colerain/I-74 interchange is completed.

* Reconstruction on I-75 from the Western Hills Viaduct to the new Monmouth St. overpass will be complete by July 2017. This includes the new Hopple St. overpass.

* Reconstruction on I-75 from Monmouth St. to Mitchell Ave. won't start until Feb 2017 and won't be complete until August 2020.

* Replacement of RR Overpass South of Norwood Lateral will be completed by Sept. 2016.

* Reconstruction on I-75 from Mitchell Ave. to the Norwood Lateral won't be complete until May 2018.

* They still have not set a timeline yet for the reconstruction of I-75 from the Norwood Lateral to the Ronald Reagan Highway.

 

Interesting that completion dates for two of those segments have slipped by almost a year. (Anyone heard local media complaining about this delay? I sure haven't.)

 

However, many of the later segments have been moved up by as much as ten years!

I wonder if you can update the current costs on that spreadsheet then we can use as ammo on Cincinnati.com for the haters who complain about $60,000...  :wink2:

Nice thinking. Here is how the costs have changed over time:

 

 

Several phases have increased in cost. However, the cost has also gone down for other phases, and the total project cost has decreased by over $100 million. I am suspicious of how phase 6 decreased from $42.8 million in 2008 to just $18.1 million in 2015. Maybe the scope was drastically reduced, or maybe the original estimate was purposefully inflated.

 

For the phases that are now complete, the savings is probably due to the original budget including a contingency fund that was not fully used. Some of that money may have been transferred to the other phases that have increased in cost.

 

Here's a similar chart showing how the completion dates have changed over time:

 

The last-minute addition of a $42 million overpass to serve Cincinnati State could result in delaying the completion of the Hopple Street overpass until 2020.

What will Green Township's contribution to this project be since that is the direction most of the students are coming from?

 

A 15 minute time savings is a stretch.

 

Coming from that direction to Cincy State you could use the brand new Hopple connector or also use Beekman to go through the new Colerain Ave. intersection to go through Northside. Even highway happy ODOT planners didn't see the need for another route until politicians got involved.

 

This bridge will have to maintained into perpetuity as well.

North and southbound students on I-75 already take the Hopple Exit. What's the difference?????

 

Oh btw this is what Cincinnati state will contribute.

 

"Cincinnati State will not contribute to the cost of the bridge, but Owens plans several economic development projects after the bridge is completed, including housing with a day care where married students could live while attending the college and have their non school-age children taken care of and educated."

Yea as a former cincy state student,  I get why they want this,  but really it wouldnt be that much of a hassel to use other routes. I often went through clifton or northside on purpose just for a change of scenery.

...housing with a day care where married students could live while attending the college and have their non school-age children taken care of and educated."

 

So...people who then won't need the bridge? 

...housing with a day care where married students could live while attending the college and have their non school-age children taken care of and educated."

 

So...people who then won't need the bridge?

 

Couldn't they put that somewhere in southern Northside just across the Ludlow viaduct where's theres already buses going by every ten minutes going right to Cincy State?

 

It would good to give a South Cumminsville a shot in the arm, but is this plan going to shut down productive industrial businesses that are now open? (The red hatching on the diagram?) That's kind of the identity of the neighborhood right now anyway. I like revitalization, but maybe it would be more effective to pick a few strong areas (like Northside) and concentrate resources there instead of completely trying to change the identity of a place like South Cumminsville with a sky bridge over two highways.

 

At least slap some bike lanes on the thing if it ends up happening.

I think the initial plans called for no bike lanes.

I don't have a bone to pick on this either way, but the hypocrisy is a bit funny.  Especially Cranley saying "These are initial estimates, we will work through the budget."  Think if he heard someone on the streetcar team say that?  He would run it until his death.  Just shows there is a lot more at play on the streetcar than just budgets... Maybe if the Enquirer ran a story on it they can draw some people to think... Dang maybe Cranley is all talk.

 

But I am guessing Cranley has the Enquirer on his finger tips.  He would hold press conferences to yell at Streetcar project leaders because he "Rolled up his sleaves and did the math and their math doesn't work and mine does because I say I so, and oh yes it was audited but they are wrong too and even if they are wrong it still means we should cancel".  And then the paper would run a big story on it like it is some sort of news and rile people up in the suburbs.

 

Trust me it works, people take the Enquirer as the word of God.  Most people I have talked to in the suburbs think that there is no money to even run it and the budget has already ran out.  Two stories Cranley has pushed hard for and gotten published.  Let's make sure this is successful eh?

City Council's Transportation Committee has not yet had a chance to weigh in on this new bridge. Hopefully they will ask the same tough questions that Cranley has been asking about the streetcar. Such as, "Who will pay for the maintenance of this bridge for the next 100 years?" and, "Is this a transportation project or an economic development project?"

 

These two quotes make it clear that this project is purely about economic development in the Cumminsville area:

 

"One of Cranley’s best friends and former aides, Elliott Ruther, has worked at the college as development director since July 2013."

 

"Cincinnati State will not contribute to the cost of the bridge, but Owens plans several economic development projects after the bridge is completed, including housing with a day care where married students could live while attending the college and have their non school-age children taken care of and educated."

 

Additionally, even the businesses that would benefit from this new bridge don't want it if it's going to drag out I-75 construction a few more years.

Even as economic development it doesn't make sense. The stated purpose of the bridge would be to have automobile traffic pass through South Cumminsville as quickly as possible from the highway exit to Central Parkway. Well, thousands of cars go through South Fairmount to use the Western Hills viaduct each day, and that certainly hasn't helped the neighborhood any. And what sense does it make to put student housing (with children) on a fast moving auto oriented street like that? When it could be located in Northside instead which is just as far from Cincy State, is already connected by a viaduct, and has great transit options?

 

Take the $20 million city contribution to this project and use it to fund Dr. Owens' student housing vision directly.

Take that $20 million and use it towards extending the operating hours and increasing frequencies of bus routes 17, 19, 20, and 39 which serve Cincinnati State. Or add a new Metro Plus route that runs from the west side to downtown with a stop at Cincinnati State.

 

O'dell Owens points out that tuition is only $3,800 a year, implying that students don't have a lot of extra money to spend. In that case, wouldn't these students be better served by faster and more frequent bus routes, especially since Cincinnati State students already get to ride Metro at the discounted rate of $1 per ride?

There are so many other transportation projects that the $20 million could be spent on (for roadways) other than this bridge. We know that the MLK/Reading area will need some streetscaping, capacity improvements and some work - why not spend it there since the MLK interchange is coming along? What about a permanent bike path on Central Parkway instead of the plastic posts? Or the Westwood streetscaping?

I have a feeling that the Dems on council will have an issue with this and also I would guess Smitherman or Winburn will as well.  Thank God the Mayor doesn't have executive power.

I sense that this is some sort of trap.  Cranley might be trying to draw out people to oppose this, then somehow embarrass them. 

4/12/15:

 

 

 

 

The latest Google Maps imagery captured one of the detours:

 

The new ramp from Hopple to I-74 opened up this week.

 

I really wish that they were going with a single ramp form Hopple to I-75 southbound, instead of leaving the old setup with two separate ramps for eastbound and westbound traffic. The configuration with the onramp from Hopple eastbound to I-75 is really awkward, and there are too many lanes and too many cars making left turns or shooting through six lanes of traffic trying to get into or out of that Shell station.

Uptown CEOs: Build Cincy State bridge

 

University of Cincinnati President Santa Ono and leaders of other major Uptown employers are calling for a bridge connector to be built near Cincinnati State, according to a document obtained by The Enquirer.

 

Five executives sent a letter to Mayor John Cranley and City Council this month urging Cincinnati's leaders to identify money to build the proposed $42 million overpass near the Interstate 74/I-75 interchange.

 

The bridge would connect South Cumminsville to Central Parkway in Clifton near the main entrance to the Cincinnati State campus. The region's largest community college is among the major Uptown institutions, which include Greater Cincinnati's top hospitals.

 

Cont

^I bet their theory is it would reduce the vehicle count using the Hopple Street 75 exit making it easier to shoot up MLK to their institutions (At least theoretically.)

 

I'd be careful giving them too much guff about this. It could make them wary of weighing in on controversial issues and lessen the chances of them coming out to support the streetcar.

Well what is the estimated traffic count on the Cranley Viaduct?  If this thing only gets 5,000 cars per day while the Western Hills Viaduct gets 50,000, then its absurdity is laid bare. 

You know I was thinking of going to college, but the traffic light I was going to have to sit through was too long.

City on its own financially in bid to build a bridge to Cincinnati State

May 27, 2015, 6:51am EDT

Chris Wetterich

Cincinnati Business Courier

 

When it comes to the controversial plan to build a viaduct to Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, the city of Cincinnati has found itself in the same financial position as it was in 2011 concerning the streetcar: Left to find most of the money on its own.

 

The city’s transportation director, Michael Moore, told the Cincinnati City Council on Tuesday that the city will try to land a $33 million federal TIGER grant to pay for most of the $44 million project, which has undergone a cost increase from $25 million a few years ago.

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2015/05/27/city-on-its-own-financially-in-bid-to-build-a.html

How does one do a cost/benefit analysis on such a thing?

The way "they" do it is to calculate the average time savings per person using the bridge, then multiply that by the average hourly wage in the region, multiply again by the life expectancy of the bridge, then divide by the construction cost of the bridge and see if it comes out greater than or less than one.  Then you can say "look the bridge will pay for itself in just a few years!" 

 

Here's the rub of course.  Nobody actually gets any money from saving 3 minutes on their commute.  Even if they did, and the "benefits" number was actually true, it doesn't account for the fact that the government paid "X" to build the bridge (ignoring maintenance, operations, and future replacement costs, which are all substantial over and above construction), and even if the supposed benefits are greater than "X" the math only works if the government COLLECTS GREATER THAN "X" IN TAXES ON THE BENEFITS.  This is the fraud.  In places where a municipality relies solely on property taxes, for instance, which are usually around 2%, then a project only makes financial sense if the project increases land values not by 1X of the cost of the project, but by 50X.  Having multiple sources of revenue like income and sales taxes, or service fees on things like sewer and water, spread out that pain somewhat, but it shows just how fragile and unproductive our development pattern is. 

City won't have to kick in all the cash for Cincinnati State viaduct after all

May 29, 2015, 5:36am EDT

Chris Wetterich

Cincinnati Business Courier

 

 

The state of Ohio will provide half of the money needed to build a new viaduct to connect Interstate 74 to Central Parkway and Cincinnati State via Elmore Street in South Cumminsville, Mayor John Cranley said on Thursday.

 

Incorrect information was given to the Cincinnati City Council on Wednesday when the city’s transportation director told the transportation committee the city would be going it alone financially on the project, Cranley said.

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2015/05/29/city-wont-have-to-kick-in-all-the-cash-for.html

If the city gets this bridge for "free", it's difficult to oppose.  But without a doubt the city could have applied for a TIGER grant to expand the streetcar, and gotten a streetcar expansion to the West End for free. 

^ Nothing is free. I wonder how much the region pays in gas tax and how much it gets back? Are the seeking Tiger grants for the viaduct?

In the last round of TIGER grants no project received over $25 million.

^ Nothing is free. I wonder how much the region pays in gas tax and how much it gets back? Are the seeking Tiger grants for the viaduct?

 

Yes, they applied for a Tiger grant to build this needless new viaduct. 

Oh I meant the Western Hill Viaduct. I'm sure its not in the I-75 reconstruction pants except maybe the area crossing I-75.

Oh I meant the Western Hill Viaduct. I'm sure its not in the I-75 reconstruction pants except maybe the area crossing I-75.

 

Reconstruction of the I-75 interchange ramps and everything south of that point is part of the Brent Spence Bridge project.  The viaduct itself is not part of the Brent Spence Bridge project. 

 

June 2, 2015:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the future Hopple St. to I-75N ramp.  When this is finished Hopple St. N traffic won't join I-75 or I-74 until after the mainline interchange. 

 

 

Current state of Mill Creek Expressway construction:

 

Residents sound off against a proposed ODOT plan

 

The Ohio Department of Transportation's attempt to replace the exit ramp at Cooper Road, which no longer fits the state's standard, isn't going over well with residents.

 

The ramps could generate development in Lockland, but residents are concerned it would bring crime and traffic into neighboring communities of Hartwell and Wyoming.

Anyone know why the new ramp meter they just activated at Mitchell Ave is on 24/7(green) not off?  In California they are off when not in use. 

Maybe it is in use but hasn't detected close enough traffic to start metering when you've gone through?

I use that ramp every day and I've never seen it working. 

 

In other news, the B&O overpass was completely removed last week (first week of October) and the bridge over Vine St. is almost finished. 

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2015/10/19/hopple-st-rebuild-time-mostly-budget/74228880/

Each section of the project has a price tag similar to the streetcar and snarls up traffic for years but not a peep of protest from the usual suspects...

Each section of the project has a price tag similar to the streetcar and snarls up traffic for years but not a peep of protest from the usual suspects...

 

Also one construction worker died and there have been several fatal accidents in the various construction zones. 

 

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2015/10/19/hopple-st-rebuild-time-mostly-budget/74228880/

 

What a joke. Substitute "streetcar" for "Hopple Street interchange":

 

Streetcar Phase 1 on time, mostly on budget

 

The city accounts for cost overruns up to 3 percent on massive rail projects, so the Streetcar's first phase technically has remained on budget since work began in February 2012. The final cost will not be known until all the work is completed, and even if there are slight cost overruns, the money could be balanced out over other phases of the regional rail network, Deatrich said.

 

Of course the Enquirer would never write such a thing. As soon as 1¢ of the streetcar's contingency fund is touched, it's "ZOMG death spiral!!!!" But a road project can be $800,000 into its contingency funding and the Enquirer calls it "mostly on budget" in the headline.

"We don't know how much it will cost until we spend all the money building it. You guys cool with that? It's a road project!"

Does anyone know how long I-74 will be funneled into one lane when merging onto I-75 south?

Does anyone know how long I-74 will be funneled into one lane when merging onto I-75 south?

 

No I haven't looked to see how they're going to do it.  They haven't really worked on that section yet, other than putting up some hideous sound walls. 

 

In other news, the construction sites are unbelievably dangerous.  I can't believe we aren't having more severe accidents.  Last night we had someone on heroin cause a serious wreck: http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2015/12/17/pd-dad-odd-flipped-suv-multi-car--75-crash/77471150/

 

 

 

 

Does anyone know how long I-74 will be funneled into one lane when merging onto I-75 south?

 

No I haven't looked to see how they're going to do it.  They haven't really worked on that section yet, other than putting up some hideous sound walls. 

 

In other news, the construction sites are unbelievably dangerous.  I can't believe we aren't having more severe accidents.  Last night we had someone on heroin cause a serious wreck: http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2015/12/17/pd-dad-odd-flipped-suv-multi-car--75-crash/77471150/

 

 

No highway can be made safe for someone who is high.

10%+ of the people on the roads at any given time are high.  90% of pizza delivery guys are high. 

10%+ of the people on the roads at any given time are high.  90% of pizza delivery guys are high.

 

I always go to Jake for accurate statistics.