Uptown Transportation Study - OKI

Planning Study ReportPart B: Interstate 71 Access Improvement Study, PID 776281. PROJECT HISTORY AND OVERVIEWThe Uptown Transportation Study was conducted from November 2004 to November 2006in order to develop a comprehensive transportation plan for the Uptown area that serves theneeds of the area’s diverse population and visitors, responds to transportation deficiencies,and supports continuing growth, development, and economic vitality. The Uptown studyarea includes the Cincinnati neighborhoods of Avondale, Clifton, Corryville, East WalnutHills, Evanston, Mt. Auburn, North Avondale, Walnut Hills and Clifton Heights, UniversityHeights and Fairview (CUF). It includes a number of major institutions including theUniversity of Cincinnati, the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Cincinnati Children’sHospital, University Hospital, and Good Samaritan Hospital.The Uptown Transportation Study is divided into two elements; Part A and Part B. Part A isa comprehensive review of all elements of the transportation system within the Uptown areaincluding:• Local street operations• Internal and regional transit service• On-street and off-street parking• Pedestrian and bicycle circulation• Signage and wayfindingPart B is specifically focused on evaluating access between the Uptown area and I-71 andmaking recommendations for potential access improvements. Recommended alternativesfor improved interstate access have been developed with the intent to serve as the basis fora formal Interchange Modification/Justification Study conducted in accordance with the OhioDepartment of Transportation Location and Design Manual, Volume 1, Section 500,including, if applicable, submittal of an access point request document to the FederalHighway Administration (FHWA) in accordance with FHWA Policy - Additional Interchangesto the Interstate System (Federal Register: February 11, 1998, Volume 63, Number 28).Both Part A and Part B elements are interrelated to some degree and were conductedconcurrently and generally follow Steps 1 through 4 of the Ohio Department ofTransportation’s (ODOT’s) Major Project Development Process. Distinct study areas havebeen established for the Part A and Part B elements of the study. The Part B Study area isoriented north-south to parallel I-71 and extends south to Liberty Street and North to DanaAvenue. See Section 1.2 for a complete description of the Part B Study area.The recommendations for both Parts A and B are intended to work in concert to address theproject goals stated above. Part B recommendations for I-71 access improvements buildupon recommendations of the Part A elements that seek to maximize the utilization andefficiency of the existing street, pedestrian, and transit networks, as well as identify new orexpanded facilities.Uptown Transportation Study 1URS CorporationNovember 2006