Central Business District
Temporary Closure: Utility Relocation at Government Square
As streetcar construction nears Government Square, utility relocation and renewal will close the bus hub from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., starting Tuesday, February 25. This construction is expected to take several days.
All Metro routes currently served at the stops A, B and C (Rts. 11, 33, 17, 19, 24, 46, 43) will be moved to Area E on Fifth Street. Signs will notify Metro riders of pick up and drop off locations. Metro will have extra employees stationed at Government Square to help riders and a police officer will direct traffic during the construction.
Located on Fifth Street between Walnut and Main Streets, Government Square is Metro’s largest transit hub. More than 15,000 people use Government Square each weekday.
Downtown Residents Council gives Third Pledge of Support for Streetcar
In their monthly newsletter, Downtown Residents Council once again spoke out in support of the streetcar with the following proclamation:
Adopted September 11, 2007 without dissent, again in 2009 without dissent, and on December 10, 2013 with 90.4% voting in favor.
Be it therefore resolved:
The members of the Downtown Residents Council (DRC) support the implementation of a streetcar system for the urban core. We believe a fixed rail transportation network will enhance the experience of visiting, living and working in the core of our city. Other cities implementing streetcar systems have seen good to great returns on their investment through new construction, new jobs, new business opportunities, enhanced quality of life and a cleaner city environment due to lessened automobile traffic.The DRC urges the City Council to support a program aimed at installing a fixed rail streetcar system within the boundaries of the Central Business District and Over the Rhine, which could possibly be expanded to the inner ring suburbs. Our members would greatly appreciate the ability to travel short distances from home and work on our lunch breaks, nights out, while running errands, shopping and entertaining friends. More transportation options will make it easier for modern families to live in the urban core by possibly removing the necessity of having multiple automobiles for personal mobility. This transportation option would also make the city more visitor-friendly by linking the many diverse shopping, dinning, entertainment, cultural and historic locations scattered throughout the valley.
Streetcar Update: December 20, 2013
Yesterday, Cincinnati City Council voted to restart streetcar construction after a three week pause to audit the project. Here’s what’s coming up over the next two weeks:
Thursday, Dec. 26
- Rail delivery on Elm Street (Findlay to McMicken). Elm Street will be closed from 11am-4pm.
Friday, Dec. 27 & Saturday, Dec. 28
- Rail installation resumes north of Findlay Market
Monday, Dec. 30
- Rebar installation resumes on Elm Street, north of Findlay Market.
- Building wood forms for trackwork resumes north of Findlay Market, with concrete placement expected Jan. 2-3.
- Work resumes on traffic signals and poles for overhead power.
- Water main work resumes on Walnut & Main streets.
Thursday, Jan. 2
- Excavation for trackwork resumes at Findlay & Elm streets.
Streetcar Weekly Update: November 18, 2013
For the week of November 18, 2013, the streetcar will continue installation of rail and proceed with track construction near Findlay Market. The Maintenance & Operations Facility site continues a two-week process of installing new sewers as backfilling nears completion. As part of the city’s construction contract, the project is also involved with repairing public utilities. Here’s what to expect:
- Concrete base work for the track will continue on Elm Street between 12th and Green streets.
- Rail installation will continue on Elm Street between 15th and Wade streets. Work will start on Elm between Wade and Green streets.
- Replacement of granite pavers will continue on Elm Street.
- Existing pavement removal will start on Elm Street near Green Street.
- Pier work for the building foundation will start at the Maintenance & Operations Facility. (Piers anchor deep into sturdy soil to support the weight of the building, making it structurally sound.)
- Backfilling for the Maintenance & Operations Facility will continue at Henry and Race streets.
PUBLIC UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS AS PART OF STREETCAR CONSTRUCTION:
- Water main installation will continue on Walnut Street near 8th Street. Work will start on Main Street near 4th Street.
- Installation of conduit (tubing for electrical wires) for traffic signals will continue on Race Street near Findlay Street. Work will start on 2nd Street near Main Street.
- New sewer installation will continue on Race Street near 13th Street. Work will start on Race near 14th Street.
- Storm sewer work will continue at the Maintenance & Operations Facility; and on Race Street near Findlay Street.
- Duke Energy will be doing underground gas work on Main Street between 4th and 5th streets; and on Race Street near Green and Elder streets.
- Duke will also do underground electrical work on 12th Street near Vine and Race streets.
- Telecom work will take place on Elm Street near Green Street; on Race Street near Green and Liberty streets; on Race near 14th and 15th streets; and on Race near 12th Street.
- Exploratory digging for utilities will continue on Walnut Street between 6th and 9th streets.