What is the Ohio River Trail?

• A proposed bike path/shared use trail for non-motorized transportation and recreation.
• The corridor extends approximately 16 miles from Lunken Airport Bike Path in the City of Cincinnati in Hamilton County to the Village of New Richmond in Clermont County.
• Uses would include biking, walking, jogging, in-line skating, wheelchair use and possibly horseback riding in selected areas.
• In the future, the trail could extend west through the East End into Cincinnati’s Riverfront and also intersect with the Little Miami Scenic Trail as it makes its way north from Lunken Airport through Anderson Township to Milford.
  
  

What is the Ohio River Trail Planning Committee?

• The membership includes representation from all six units of government and three park districts in the corridor, as well as the New Richmond Business Association and OKI.
• The role of this committee includes planning, coordinating, publicity, fund-raising, and oversight of the consultant’s work.
  
  

What is the status of the Ohio River Trail?

• Once the Planning Committee was formed, it was determined that the first step would be the preparation of a feasibility study that would determine if a trail could be economically and practically located along US 52. This study was also the first step necessary to qualify the project for federal funding.
• The Committee raised the funding for the feasibility study from state, local, private and corporate sources.
• OKI is serving as overall coordinator and fiscal manager for the feasibility study.
• The study began January 13, 1999 and was completed in May 2000. The final report recommends a proposed trail alignment, describes engineering and environment trails blocks, and estimates the costs of design, construction, operation, and maintenance.
• Public meetings were held at three separate times during the study. Round One meetings on February 25 and March 3, 1999 publicly introduced the study. Round Two meetings on October 26 and 27, 1999 presented two preliminary trail alignments for consideration. Round Three meetings on February 8 and 9, 2000 presented the recommendations of the Feasibility Study regarding trail location and staging areas, trail block solutions, costs, and funding.
  
  

Download the Ohio River Trail Brochure --
Inside Cover
Outside Cover

Adobe Acrobat is required to view the brochure and can be downloaded for free from http://www.adobe.com.

Recommended Location for the Ohio River Trail

Two alternative locations for the trail were investigated. These locations can generally be described as north and south of U.S. 52. The recommended location is a combination of both alternatives. The description begins at the west end of the trail. (Refer also to the accompanying maps of the preferred trail route.)

• Begin at the proposed Elstun Road Recreation Area near Beechmont. This location provides access across the Little Miami River to the Lunken Airport Bike Path and connections to the Little Miami Scenic Trail from the north and south and west to the Cincinnati Riverfront.
• The trail will share Elstun Road south to the end of the existing pavement; from there, a new shared use trail will be constructed along unimproved right-of-way, an existing utility easement, and the base of the hill to the Magrish Riverlands Preserve.
• From Magrish, the trail will follow the toe of the Salem Avenue slope and go under the Kellogg Avenue bridge to the southeast side of Kellogg Avenue.
• The trail will parallel Kellogg Avenue past the marinas and the Cincinnati Water Works to Renslar Avenue in the California neighborhood.
• The route through California can be a combination of shared roadways and new facilities on existing paper streets. A decision about which option is best will be made during preliminary engineering and detailed design.
• The trail will leave California along the west property line of Riverstar Ball Park; go under the I-275 bridge; follow the I-275 fence line to Penn Street; parallel Penn Street between Penn Street and the I-275 ramp.
• The trail will cross over Kellogg Avenue via a new bridge; then parallel Kellogg Avenue on the north to an at-grade crossing of Sutton Road.
• The trail will parallel Kellogg Avenue on the north side; crossing Fourmile Road and the exit ramp of the U.S. 52 Connector with at-grade crossings; going under the U.S. 52 Connector interchange bridge; and connecting with Old U.S. 52.
• The trail will share the road with Old U.S. 52 to the end of the existing pavement where it will drop back down next to US. 52.
• The trail will parallel U.S. 52 on the north side until it picks up Old U.S. 52 just west of Eightmile Road.
• The trail shares the road with Old U.S. 52 to Eightmile Road; then drops back down next to U.S. 52 to S.R. 749 (Tenmile Road).
• The trail goes up to Old U.S. 52 and shares the road; crosses Ten Mile Creek on the existing bridge; turns south crossing under the U.S. 52 bridge over Ten Mile Creek.
• The trail parallels U.S. 52 on the south side; crossing under the existing Beckjord Road bridge; crossing both of Cinergy’s Beckjord Station driveways with at-grade crossings; and connects with COBRA Road just south of Beckjord.
• The trail will share COBRA Road down to Front Street at the intersection with U.S. 52.
• The trail will then parallel Front Street down to Vine Street (with a new bridge at Twelve Mile Creek) where Front Street will become a shared road facility to the gazebo.
• The trail ends on Front Street at the gazebo in New Richmond.
  
  

Staging Areas

Staging areas are locations that serve as starting and stopping points for trail users. They can include motor vehicle parking, restrooms, water and other amenities. The map identifies several locations along the trail corridor that would be appropriate for staging areas. Decisions about the exact locations and designs will be made during preliminary engineering and design work.

How would this trail be designed?

• The AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities (published in 1999 by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials), along with other recognized standards, will serve as a guide for trail development including staging areas.
• The trail would be designed to meet access requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act to the extent possible.
  
  

How would this trail be funded?

• It is assumed that a future trail would be built using a variety of public and private funding sources.
• Public funds could include local, state, and/or federal funds.
• The study is being prepared under the assumption that at least part of the funding would be from federal and/or state sources through the Ohio Departments of Transportation and Natural Resources.
• The trail may be designed and constructed in sections by each jurisdiction and/or park district.
  
  

Who would manage and maintain this trail?

Management and maintenance of the trail has yet to be decided. Possibilities include local, county, and/or state organizations including park districts. Another possibility is the creation of a regional park or trail organization.

How can I be involved?

• Send your comments in writing or via e-mail to OKI.
• Contact OKI to be sure that you are on the mailing list.
• Read and discuss written materials that you receive.
• Talk with your friends and neighbors about the project.
• If you have specific concerns related to your property, call OKI to arrange for a meeting with the consultant.
• There is a continuing need for fund-raising. Donations can be made to OKI for the Ohio River Trail and are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
• If you have never been on a trail, go and visit one of the local trails (i.e., the Little Miami Scenic Trail, Lunken Airport Bike Path, or Shaker Trace in Miami-Whitewater Forest).
  
  

For more information, including a Presentation Brochure, contact John Heilman Phone: 513-621-6300; Fax: 513-621-9325; E-mail: jheilman@oki.org.