View source for Transportation in Cincinnati

{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2019}}
[[File:Downtown_Cincinnati_viewed_from_Mt._Adams_(cropped).jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|[[Downtown Cincinnati]] in July 2019]]
'''Transportation in [[Cincinnati]]''' includes sidewalks, roads, public transit, bicycle paths, and regional and international airports. Most trips are made by car, with transit and bicycles having a relatively low share of total trips; in a region of just over 2 million people, less than 80,000 trips<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012/tables/12s1118.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020120307/http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012/tables/12s1118.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 20, 2011|title=Transit Ridership in Selected Urbanized Areas - US Census Bureau}}</ref> are made with transit on an average day. The city is sliced by three major interstate highways, [[Interstate 71|I-71]], [[Interstate 74|I-74]] and [[Interstate 75|I-75]], and circled by a beltway several miles out from the city limits. The region is served by two separate transit systems, one on each side of the river. [[Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority|SORTA]], on the Ohio side is about six times larger than [[Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky|TANK]] on the [[Kentucky]] side.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wessel|first=Nate|title=Long-term Transit Trends|url=http://cincymap.org/blog/long-term-transit-trends/|publisher=Cincinnati Transit Blog|accessdate=November 3, 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405215725/http://cincymap.org/blog/long-term-transit-trends/|archivedate=April 5, 2023|url-status=usurped}}</ref> 

The transit system is largely radial with almost all lines terminating at [[Downtown Cincinnati]]. The city's numerous hills precluded the regular [[street grid]] common to many cities built up in the 19th Century, and outside of the downtown basin, regular street grids are rare. Exceptions do exist in patches of flat land where they are typically small and oriented according to the local topography rather than the cardinal directions.

==Roads==
[[File:Highways of Greater Cincinnati.png|thumb|Highways of [[Greater Cincinnati|Metropolitan Cincinnati]]]]
The road network of Cincinnati includes three major interstate highways, one interstate bypass and one interstate spur and six U.S. highways.

=== Interstates ===
Cincinnati is served by three major [[Interstate Highway System|interstate highways]], one beltway, and one spur. [[Interstate 71|Interstates 71]], [[Interstate 74|74]], and [[Interstate 75|75]] are major routes connecting to [[Louisville, Kentucky|Louisville]] and [[Lexington, Kentucky|Lexington]] in Kentucky; [[Indianapolis]]; and [[Dayton, Ohio|Dayton]] and [[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]] in Ohio.  [[Interstate 471]] connects a portion of Northern Kentucky to downtown Cincinnati.

* [[Interstate 71]] splits off from [[Interstate 75]] near the [[Brent Spence Bridge]] and heads eastward through [[Fort Washington Way]]. It junctions [[Interstate 471]] before heading northeast towards Mt. Adams and Walnut Hills. It has major junctions with [[Ohio State Route 562|SR 562 (Norwood Lateral)]] and [[Ohio State Route 126|SR 126]] ([[Ronald Reagan Cross County Highway]]).
* [[Interstate 74]] begins at [[Interstate 75]] west of downtown and proceeds towards [[Indiana]]. Its only primary junction is with [[Interstate 275 (Ohio–Indiana–Kentucky)|Interstate 275]].
* [[Interstate 75]] is a north&ndash;south route through the Mill Creek valley. It enters from [[Kentucky]] on the [[Brent Spence Bridge]], where it overlaps [[Interstate 71]]. Interstate 71 splits eastward at an elevated junction immediately north of the [[Ohio River]]. Interstate 75 has major junctions with [[Interstate 74]], SR 562 (Norwood Lateral) and SR 126 (Ronald Reagan Cross County Highway).
* [[Interstate 275 (Ohio–Indiana–Kentucky)|Interstate 275]] serves as the metropolitan area's [[Ring road|outer-belt]] and is currently the longest loop highway in the country.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Sh4DAAAAMBAJ&dq=downtown+cincinnati&pg=PA79 | title=Around Town: How to Decode Cincinnati's Many Motorways | publisher=Cincinnati Magazine | work=Cincinnati USA City Guide | year=2007 | accessdate=May 6, 2013 | author=Smith, Steve| page=79|display-authors=etal}}</ref> It has major junctions with all major interstate highways that radiate from the city.
* [[Interstate 471]] is a spur that begins at the eastern terminus of [[Fort Washington Way]] and proceeds southward into [[Kentucky]], where it terminates at the junction of [[Interstate 275 (Ohio–Indiana–Kentucky)|Interstate 275]] and [[U.S. Route 27 in Ohio|US 27]].

=== Notable expressways ===
Significant local routes maintained and managed at the municipal level include the [[Mill Creek Expressway]] (Interstate 75), [[Fort Washington Way]] (Interstate 71), the [[Ronald Reagan Cross County Highway]], the [[Norwood Lateral Expressway]], [[Columbia Parkway]], and the [[Sixth Street Expressway]].

The downtown area features a system of viaducts with names such as [[Western Hills Viaduct|Western Hills]], [[Ida Street Viaduct|Ida]], and formerly [[Waldvogel Viaduct|Waldvogel]].

=== U.S. highways ===
Cincinnati is served by several U.S. highways: 

* [[U.S. Highway 25|US 25]] (only exists on the [[Clay Wade Bailey Bridge]] within Ohio, and is Kentucky maintained)
* [[U.S. Highway 27|US 27]]
* [[U.S. Highway 42|US 42]]
* [[U.S. Highway 52|US 52]]
* [[U.S. Highway 127|US 127]]
* [[U.S. Route 22|US 22]]
* [[U.S. Route 50 in Ohio|US 50]]
** [[Columbia Parkway]]
** [[Sixth Street Expressway]]

=== State routes ===
* [[Ohio State Route 3|SR 3 (Montgomery Rd.)]]
* [[Ohio State Route 4|SR 4 (Paddock Rd.)]]
* [[Ohio State Route 32|SR 32]] (extends east from Cincinnati across southern Ohio to West Virginia)
* [[Ohio State Route 125|SR 125 (Beechmont Avenue/Ohio Pike)]]
* [[Ohio State Route 126|SR 126]] ([[Ronald Reagan Cross County Highway]])
* [[Ohio State Route 264|SR 264 (Glenway Ave.)]]
* [[Ohio State Route 561|SR 561]]
* [[Ohio State Route 562|SR 562 (Norwood Lateral)]]

=== Future routes ===
'''Proposed Eastern Bypass'''

A 68-mile eastern bypass is proposed to run east of [[Interstate 275 (Ohio–Indiana–Kentucky)|I-275]] and improve traffic flow in the Cincinnati area.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cincyeasternbypass.com/#6-2|title=Cincy Eastern Bypass|website=www.cincyeasternbypass.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-07-12}}</ref> The route would intersect the following routes:

::{{jct|I|75|state=KY}} near [[Crittenden, Kentucky]]
:: {{jct|KY|17|state=KY}} in [[Atwood, Kentucky]]
:: {{jct|KY|117|state=KY}} in [[Kenton, Kentucky]]
:: {{jct|country=USA|US|27}} in [[Aspen Grove, Kentucky]]
:: {{jct|KY|9|state=KY}} in [[Mentor, Kentucky]]
:: {{jct|country=USA|US|52}} in [[Point Pleasant, Ohio]]
:: {{jct|state=OH|OH|125}} east of [[Amelia, Ohio]]
:: {{jct|state=OH|OH|32}} east of [[Batavia, Ohio]]
:: {{jct|country=USA|US|50}} in [[Owensville, Ohio]]
:: {{jct|state=OH|OH|131}} west of [[Newtonsville, Ohio]]
:: {{jct|state=OH|OH|28}} east of [[Goshen, Ohio]]
:: {{jct|state=OH|US|62|OH|3}} west of [[Morrow, Ohio]]
:: {{jct|state=OH|I|71}} in [[South Lebanon, Ohio]]
:: {{jct|state=OH|OH|48}} in [[South Lebanon, Ohio]]
:: {{jct|state=OH|US|42}} west of [[Lebanon, Ohio]]
:: {{jct|state=OH|OH|63}} west of [[Lebanon, Ohio]]
:: {{jct|state=OH|OH|122}} north of [[Lebanon, Ohio]]
:: {{jct|state=OH|I|75}} west of [[Morrow, Ohio]]

=== Mile Road System ===
Some metropolitan streets in a few adjacent municipalities (including Eastern Cincinnati) participate in a road naming scheme that derives certain road names from the proximity of their origin to the mouth of the [[Little Miami River]]. Two Mile Road is approximately two miles from the mouth of the Little Miami, Four Mile Road is approximately four miles away, and so on. Thus far, the following roads are established: Two Mile Road, Sutton Road (formerly Three Mile Road), Four Mile Road, Five Mile Road, Eight Mile Road, Nine Mile Road, and Ten Mile Road.

A project to reroute and extend Five Mile Road into what would have been an invaluable traffic artery for the Eastern villages and townships was begun, but it was ultimately left unfinished. The project was to extend Five Mile Road through the Village of Newtown, thereby connecting the major thoroughfares of OH-125 (Beechmont Avenue),  US-32 (Batavia Pike), US-50 (Wooster Pike), and US-52 (Kellogg Avenue). This would more effectively integrated Anderson Township and Newtown with neighboring Plainville as well as Mariemont, Indian Hill, and Terrace Park (by extension). Land and was acquired by the Township for this express purpose, but adjacent property owners successfully lobbied and stalled the project until Township officials ultimately relented. Land acquired was instead ceded to its parks department, which still maintains a spacious trail for pedestrians and cyclists in the obvious place where the expressway currently stops abruptly. The historic original route still exists, functioning as a spur under the name Old Five Mile Road.

With the narrow exception of Two Mile Road and Four Mile Road, all roads currently have their origins at their respective intersections with US-52.

=== Defunct routes ===
{{Expand section|date=June 2008}}
'''Bypass 50'''

Bypass 50 ran concurrently with State route 126 heading east from Springfield Pike (Route 4) in Woodlawn and was known as Glendale-Milford Road then Pfeiffer Road after crossing Kenwood Road. Continuing to its Pfieffer Road terminus at Montgomery Road the route turned south then east at Remington Road. The road changed names back to Glendale-Milford entering Miamiville, then turned south heading through Camp Dennison before terminating at Route 50 (Wooster Pike) in Terrace Park, yards from the Hamilton-Clermont County line. The route was discontinued in 1997 when the Ronald Reagan highway was opened and designated at State Highway 126

==Bicycles==
[[File:Cincinnati Bike Map Full Color.png|thumb|Cincinnati Bike Map]][[Red Bike]], a public [[bicycle-sharing system]], opened in the fall of 2014. The [[University of Cincinnati]] has operated a small bike-share program for several years.

==Public transportation==
[[File:Cincinnati Transit Frequency Map.png|thumb|right|Metro Cincinnati transit map]]

===Buses===
Cincinnati is served by buses run by the [[Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority]] (SORTA), the [[Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky]] (TANK) and the [[Clermont Transportation Connection]].

Almost all transit lines, including those of TANK are centered on Downtown Cincinnati. This has led many people{{who|date=January 2015}} to criticize the system for being overly radial and reliant on transfers in Downtown{{citation needed|date=December 2012}}. Several lines in Ohio, generally those ending in '1'(31, 51, 41) don't go downtown at all but provide a link between the radial arms created by the other lines.

SORTA is significantly larger than TANK, operating more lines, at higher frequencies, and carrying about six times as many passengers on an average day.

Most of SORTA's funding comes from the City of Cincinnati, and so the most intensive transit service is confined to the city boundaries. Outside of the city is considered Zone 2, and a higher fare is charged. The Clermont Transportation Connection and [[Warren County Transit]] partially fund SORTA routes that extend into [[Clermont County, Ohio|Clermont County]] and [[Warren County, Ohio|Warren County]], respectively.<ref>{{cite web|title=CTC Home|publisher=Clermont Transportation Connection|accessdate=September 14, 2016|url=http://ctc.clermontcountyohio.gov/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Warren County to provide loop bus service in Lebanon|first=Lawrence|last=Budd|work=[[Dayton Daily News]]|publisher=[[Cox Enterprises|Cox Media Group Ohio]]|date=June 7, 2016|accessdate=September 19, 2016|url=http://www.mydaytondailynews.com/news/news/local-govt-politics/warren-county-to-provide-loop-bus-service-in-leban/nrbwD/|quote=In 2013, the county reached an agreement with the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA) to split federal funds, rather than shift to a fixed-route system. SORTA provides transit service in Mason.}}</ref> SORTA's [[paratransit]] services are partially subsidized by Hamilton County.<ref>{{cite news|title=Turning Back the Bus|first=Kevin|last=Osborne|work=[[Cincinnati CityBeat]]|date=October 23, 2007|accessdate=September 19, 2016|url=http://www.citybeat.com/news/article/13025420/news-turning-back-the-bus|quote=Hamilton County provides some money [to SORTA], mostly to subsidize service for disabled riders, with the remainder of the budget coming from state and federal grants.}}</ref> TANK is funded by [[Campbell County, Kentucky|Campbell]] and [[Kenton County|Kenton]] counties.

SORTA and TANK primarily operate 40 foot diesel buses, though some lines are served by longer articulated or hybrid engine buses. Paratransit services generally make use of [[minibus]]es.

===Streetcars===
{{Main|Connector (Cincinnati)|Streetcars in Cincinnati}}

A single streetcar line, the [[Connector (Cincinnati)|Connector]], runs between [[The Banks, Cincinnati|The Banks]], [[Downtown Cincinnati|Downtown]], and [[Findlay Market]] in [[Over-the-Rhine]] in a {{convert|3.6|mi|adj=on}} loop. It opened in 2016. Future extensions have been proposed to the Uptown area, home to the [[University of Cincinnati]], the regional hospitals, and the [[Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden|Cincinnati Zoo]]; and to [[Northern Kentucky]].

Streetcars were the main form of transportation in the city. The first [[Tram|electric streetcars]] began operation in 1889,<ref name="Exhibit commemorates the streetcar era">{{cite news|last=O'Neill|first=Tom|title=Exhibit commemorates the streetcar era|newspaper=[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]]|date=August 18, 2001|url=http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2001/08/18/loc_exhibit_commemorates.html|accessdate=April 7, 2009}}</ref> and at its maximum, the streetcar system had {{convert|222|mi|km}} of track and carried more than 100 million passengers per year. With the advent of inexpensive automobiles and improved roads, transit ridership declined in the 20th century and the streetcar system closed in 1951.<ref name="Exhibit commemorates the streetcar era"/><ref name="The Relationship Between Transportation and Urban Growth in Cincinnati">NKU History and Geography Department. [http://www.nku.edu/~hisgeo/AtlasProject/index.htm Historical Atlas of Cincinnati: The Relationship Between Transportation and Urban Growth in Cincinnati]. Accessed on April 5, 2009.</ref>

===Public steps===
The [[Steps of Cincinnati]] are a historic mode of transportation in the hilly city. In addition to practical use linking hillside neighborhoods, the approximately 400 stairways are often used for exercise.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/dote/dote-programs/hillside-steps/ |title=Hillside Steps - Transportation & Engineering |accessdate=May 17, 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524113925/http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/dote/dote-programs/hillside-steps/ |archivedate=May 24, 2013 }}</ref>

===Intercity transportation===
[[File:Cincinnati Union Terminal, Queensgate, Cincinnati, OH (46807669624).jpg|thumb|[[Cincinnati Union Terminal]] serves Amtrak's ''[[Cardinal (train)|Cardinal]]'' line and houses several museums]]
[[Amtrak]]'s ''[[Cardinal (train)|Cardinal]]'' train travels to [[Chicago]] and [[Indianapolis]] to the northwest and to [[Washington, D.C.]], [[Philadelphia]] and [[New York City]] to the east. It goes in each direction three times each week and arrives in Cincinnati between 1 and 3:30am. Its ticket office and station are at [[Cincinnati Union Terminal]].

[[Greyhound Lines|Greyhound]] operates a 24-hour bus terminal (formerly in Downtown Cincinnati, now in [[Arlington Heights, Ohio|Arlington Heights]]) with trips to all major nearby cities and connections to the rest of the country. Regional carriers GO Bus and Barron's Bus also serve the terminal.<ref>[http://ridegobus.com/routes/cincinnati-athens/cincinnati-athens-stop-locations/ Cincinnati-Athens Stop Locations]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140721024450/http://www.baronsbus.com/bus-stop-locations Bus Stop Locations]</ref> For the last couple of years, [[Megabus (North America)|Megabus]] has also operated several trips a week between Cincinnati and a few major cities in the [[midwest]]. [[Chinatown bus lines]] connect Cincinnati with [[New York City]].<ref>[http://www.urbancincy.com/2012/02/chinatown-buses-offer-direct-overnight-travel-from-cincinnati-to-new-york-city/ Chinatown buses offer direct overnight travel from Cincinnati to New York City]</ref>

===Abandoned subway===
{{Main|Cincinnati Subway}}
[[File:Cincinnati Subway - Race St. Station.jpg|thumb|Cincinnati Subway - Race St. Station]]
Cincinnati has an incomplete subway system. Construction stopped in 1924 when unexpected post-World War I inflation doubled the cost of construction<ref name="2002_7_29_pilcher_article">
{{cite news
  | last = Pilcher
  | first = James
  | title = Abandoned subway could save light rail plan
  | newspaper = [[The Cincinnati Enquirer]]
  | date = July 29, 2002
  | url = http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2002/07/29/loc_abandoned_subway.html
  | accessdate = July 5, 2008 }}
</ref> and the funds originally set aside weren't enough to complete the project. There have been several attempts in recent decades by the [[Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority|SORTA]] to use the subway tunnels for a [[light rail]] system, but ballot initiatives to generate funds for such projects have so far all failed. The most recent attempt was the 2002 [[MetroMoves]] plan which would have generated $2.7 billion for a comprehensive transit plan, but it failed by a 2–1 margin.<ref name="2002_10_6_pilcher_article">
{{cite news
  | last = Pilcher
  | first = James
  | title = Metro plan hits wall of resistance
  | newspaper = [[The Cincinnati Enquirer]]
  | date = November 6, 2002
  | url = http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2002/11/06/loc_literail06.html
  | accessdate = July 5, 2008 }}
</ref> Today the subway is used as a conduit for fiber optic and water lines. It's sealed off from the public, but is occasionally used by urban explorers and the homeless.

==Bridges==
[[File:Daniel Carter Beard Bridge.JPG|thumb|right|The [[Daniel Carter Beard Bridge]] is more commonly called the "Big Mac" bridge because of its resemblance to [[McDonald's]] iconic arches.]]
The city has a river ferry and many bridges. The [[Anderson Ferry]] has been in continuous operation since 1817.<ref>[http://www.andersonferry.org/ Anderson Ferry - Cincinnati Ohio, Northern Kentucky<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Cincinnati's major bridges include:
* The [[Newport Southbank Bridge]] (a.k.a. the Purple People Bridge because of its status as a pedestrian-only bridge as well as its color)
* The [[John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge]] Opened in 1866, this bridge was the prototype for the [[Brooklyn Bridge]], also designed by Roebling.
* The [[Daniel Carter Beard Bridge]] (a.k.a. the Big Mac bridge for its yellow arches, reminiscent of the McDonald's logo) carries I-471 and connects Cincinnati with Newport, Kentucky
* The [[Brent Spence Bridge]] A double-decker truss bridge carrying I-71/75 connecting Cincinnati with Covington, Kentucky
* The [[Clay Wade Bailey Bridge]]
* The [[Taylor-Southgate Bridge]]
* The [[Combs-Hehl Bridge]] a twin-span truss, part of the I-275 loop and commonly called "The 275 Bridge", it travels through Fort Thomas, Kentucky and connects to the neighborhood of California, the easternmost neighborhood in the city limits.

==Airports==
[[Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport]] ([[IATA]]: CVG) is the major [[international airport]] serving the metropolitan area and is located across the river in [[Hebron, Kentucky]]. CVG stands for Covington, the nearest and largest city by the airport when it was built. Although CVG serves Cincinnati, many people do not know it is actually located in Kentucky. The airport is [[focus city]] for [[Allegiant Air]]. The airport also serves as a global cargo super-hub for [[DHL Express]], and is the 40th busiest airport in the world with cargo operations included.{{citation needed|date=December 2016}} The city has three other airports; [[Lunken Airport]], a municipal airfield used for smaller business jets and private planes; the [[Butler County Regional Airport]], located between [[Fairfield, Ohio|Fairfield]] and [[Hamilton, Ohio|Hamilton]], which ranks just behind Lunken in business jets and has the largest private aircraft capacity of the Cincinnati area; Cincinnati West Airport, a smaller airport located in [[Harrison, Ohio]].

CVG Airport, along with the two other regional international airports, [[Dayton International Airport]] {{convert|78|mi|km|sigfig=2}} north, and [[John Glenn Columbus International Airport]] {{convert|128|mi|km|sigfig=2}} northeast, form an important regional transportation network. Combined, they anchor the corners of a triangular region that serves about 50% of the population of [[Ohio]] and about 10% of Kentucky. The region encompasses over {{convert|6000|sqmi|km2|sigfig=2}} with about 50% available for development.

==Commerce==
According to [[Forbes Magazine]], Cincinnatians spend 20% of their income on transit, which makes the city the sixth most expensive city for commuting in the United States.<ref>Forbes Magazine. [https://www.forbes.com/2007/08/07/commute-housing-expensive-forbeslife-cx_mw_0807realestate_slide_7.html?thisSpeed=30000 America's Most Expensive Commutes: 6. Cincinnati, Ohio]. Retrieved December 4, 2009.</ref> {{As of|2003}}, the port of Cincinnati is ranked 5th by trip ton-miles for an inland port.<ref name="port">{{cite web|url=http://www.iwr.usace.army.mil/ndc/wcsc/pdf/inlandport03f.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325111557/http://www.iwr.usace.army.mil/ndc/wcsc/pdf/inlandport03f.pdf|archivedate=March 25, 2009|url-status=dead|title=Top 20 Inland U.S. Ports for 2003|year=2003|work=Waterborne Commerce Statistics Center|publisher=The U.S. Army Engineer Institute for Water Resources|page=1|accessdate=November 21, 2008}}</ref>

Several freight railroads service Cincinnati, the largest being [[CSX Transportation]] which operates a railroad yard west of [[Interstate 75]]. Other railroads include [[Norfolk Southern]], which operates a large intermodal yard in the west end neighborhood of Queensgate and the Indiana & Ohio Railroad which operates several small predecessor yards throughout the city.

==See also==
*[[Miami and Erie Canal]]
* {{seclink|Plug-in electric vehicles in Ohio#Cincinnati}}

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

[[Category:Transportation in Cincinnati| ]]
[[Category:Transportation in the United States by city|Cincinnati, Ohio]]
[[Category:Roads in Cincinnati| ]]
[[Category:Lists of roads in Ohio|Cinc]]