Cincinnati leaders looking to humanize streets with more two-way conversions

In the near future, city officials hope to convert two Uptown streets back to two-way traffic as they once were during their business district's heydays.  In addition to William Howard Taft Road and E. McMillan Street, some city leaders believe there may be a future for additional two-way street conversions throughout Cincinnati.

"There was lots of discussion about converting Vine Street to two-way traffic in the early 1990's, but it was ultimately done to create a more vibrant corridor," explained Cincinnati Vice Mayor Roxanne Qualls, who is pushing for additional Complete Streets measures to be included throughout the city.  "There might be some streets in the central business district, and definitely some in Over-the-Rhine that should be examined."

Before the Uptown streets can be converted back to two-way traffic, they must first be studied in conjunction with the ongoing I-71 Access Improvement Study.  The transportation study is examining various aspects of vehicular access in the subject area, and Vice Mayor Qualls believes that now is the time to look at the conversion before physical progress is made on any possible interchange reconfiguration.

"The key thing for McMillan and Taft is creating a corridor that supports retail and business," Qualls said.  "This area used to serve as Cincinnati's second downtown, and the goal should be to prioritize pedestrian and bicycle traffic through this type of a neighborhood business district."

The idea has been well received by neighborhood residents and businesses who believe a two-way street conversion will help to create additional opportunities to revitalize the area.  Preliminary cost estimates peg the two-way conversion work around $235,000.  A report on the conversion proposal is scheduled to be presented to the administration in early September 2010.

According to Qualls, the interchange redesign of Uptown may still be a long way off, but does not eliminate the possibility of other two-way conversions.  In particular, Qualls sees particular promise with other north/south streets in Over-the-Rhine following the success of Vine Street's conversion.  Other possibilities could potentially include Elm, Race, Walnut, and Main Streets through the historic neighborhood.

"I have been following this kind of movement since I first joined the Congress for New Urbanism Board in 2000, and what we need to be doing is designing our streets in a way that creates and supports vibrant types of urban environments."

Writer: Randy A. Simes
Photography by Tiffani Fisher
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