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|type = [[Commuter rail]] [[Highway]]
|type = [[Commuter rail]], [[Highway]]
|system =
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|status = ''Currently in the planning stage''
|status = ''Currently in the planning stage''

Revision as of 14:52, 23 January 2013

Eastern Corridor Project
Overview
StatusCurrently in the planning stage
OwnerNS, SORTA
LocaleGreater Cincinnati
Stations10 (proposed)
Service
TypeCommuter rail, Highway
Operator(s)SORTA
History
OpenedTBA
Technical
Line length30 miles (Projected)
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)

The Eastern Corridor Project is a proposed multi-modal program in southwestern Ohio designed to "enhance [the] transportation network by improving travel and connections between central Cincinnati and the communities extending east through Hamilton County and into western Clermont County"[1]. Involving an extension to Ohio Route 32 that would connect it more directly with the Red Bank Expressway, which leads to I-71, as well as a commuter rail line, the project is still in the planning stages. The rail component is first of several proposed commuter rail lines being developed by SORTA, Hamilton County and Cincinnati[2] in the Greater Cincinnati metro area in conjunction with proposed Light Rail and Streetcar lines.[3] The plan currently calls for using and upgrading existing rail lines and new diesel cars called DMUs (diesel multiple units).[4] In addition to a commuter rail, SORTA plans to add a multi-modal highway[5] and make improvements to the existing SR32

Initial Corridor

This corridor, called the Oasis Line,[6] will run from the Riverfront Transit Center in downtown Cincinnati in The Banks area.[7] and run East along the existing Norfolk Southern track through Milford.[8] After completing the Oasis Line, SORTA plans to create the Wasson Line.[9]

Proposed Stations

Original proposals for the Eastern Corridor includes ten stations:[10]

Further Expansion

In addition to the Eastern Corridor initial proposals define two other commuter rail corridors: one running west from downtown Cincinnati through Delhi and Cleves to Lawrenceburg, Indiana,[11] and the other running north through West Chester, Middletown, to Dayton.[12]

Public Objection and Budget Issues

In November 2012, many citizens of Hamilton County and the Mariemont community publicly objected to the creation of the highway.[13] Residents of the area were outraged when they heard that the SR32 reroute would destroy community gardens and parks along the banks of the Little Miami River. The project has also had difficulty starting due to an unusually high budget.[14] The original estimated operating cost of the highway was 18.9 million dollars a year.[15] Currently, the Eastern Corridor Project is in Tier 2 of the planning phase.[16] On 22 January, 2013, a community wide meeting was held in Mariemont Village to discuss the status of the Eastern Corridor Project, as well as objections to the project's proposed routing through Mariemont's South 80 Trails and Community Gardens park. Some of the arguments against the project that were brought up at the meeting were the adverse effects of building a highway through part of historic Mariemont, designated a National Historic Landmark since 2007, as well as ODOT's (Ohio Department of Transportation) failure to take into account the village's National Historic Landmark status, and the boundaries of the protected area, when conducting initial planning; the threat to Native American burial grounds and un-excavated archaeological sites along the proposed routing, the threats of air, sound, and noise pollution that would result from the construction and use of a major highway so close to the village, and threats to the Little Miami River, one of only 156 rivers in the US designated a National Wild and Scenic River.[17]

References

  1. ^ http://easterncorridor.org/
  2. ^ Monk, Dan (6 April 2009). "Cincinnati's Eastern Corridor project picks up speed with $20M stimulus".
  3. ^ http://fairfaxohio.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=41&Itemid=1
  4. ^ "All aboard? Rail proposed".[dead link]
  5. ^ http://www.urbancincy.com/2010/08/breaking-down-cincinnatis-eastern-corridor-passenger-rail-plan/
  6. ^ http://www.hamilton-co.org/hc/easternCorridor.asp
  7. ^ http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2010/05/14/cincinnati-approves-funding-for-streetcar-increasing-likelihood-of-federal-commitment/
  8. ^ http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/transeng/pages/-7176-/
  9. ^ http://www.hamilton-co.org/hc/easternCorridor.asp
  10. ^ http://www.cincinnati-transit.net/commuterrail.html
  11. ^ http://www.economicscenter.org/research/reports/economic-impact-lunken-airport-greater-cincinnati-economy
  12. ^ http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Rail/Programs/passenger/Ohio%20Hub%20Economic%20Impact%20Studies/TEMS10ConsumerRailBenefits.pdf
  13. ^ http://local12.com/news/local/story/Mariemont-Residents-Object-To-Eastern-Corridor/jVikj-Lh1UyX06kme6nyNg.cspx
  14. ^ Mecklenborg, J. (2012, August 10). Breaking down Cincinnati's Eastern Corridor passenger rail plan. Retrieved December 11, 2012, from Urban Cincy website: http://www.urbancincy.com/2010/08/breaking-down-cincinnatis-eastern-corridor-passenger-rail-plan/
  15. ^ Mecklenborg, J. (2012, August 10). Breaking down Cincinnati's Eastern Corridor passenger rail plan. Retrieved December 11, 2012, from Urban Cincy website: http://www.urbancincy.com/2010/08/breaking-down-cincinnatis-eastern-corridor-passenger-rail-plan/
  16. ^ http://easterncorridor.org/project-history
  17. ^ Mariemont community meeting with ODOT on the topic of the proposed routing of the Eastern Corridor Project, 22 January, 2013
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