Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Highway Expansion

Cincinnati’s Highway Revolt on the Verge of Victory

Ohio State Rep. Tom Brinkman, a Republican who believes in lower taxes, is taking a principled stance against a wasteful highway project. Photo: Wikipedia
Ohio State Rep. Tom Brinkman, a Republican who believes in lower taxes, is taking a principled stance against a wasteful highway project. Photo: Wikipedia
false

Could the end be near for the $1.4 billion Eastern Corridor highway project proposed for eastern Cincinnati? Language added to Ohio's transportation budget, which is being debated right now, would specifically "prohibit [Ohio DOT] from funding the Eastern Corridor Project in Hamilton County."

The amendment was introduced by Republican state lawmaker Tom Brinkman, who represents an eastern portion of Cincinnati. Brinkman told the Cincinnati Enquirer, "I am representing constituents who say, 'We don't want to tear down our communities.'" The boondoggle highway project is opposed by residents in Newton, Mariemont, Madisonville, and other towns east of Cincinnati.

The highway does have its defenders in the legislature. At a House Finance Committee meeting Monday, Democrat Denise Driehaus, who represents Cincinnati, signaled her concerns about Brinkman's amendment.

"It's been going on for about a decade and so there has been significant investment at both the state and local level," she said. "It seems to me this sets a precedent that the legislature prohibits ODOT from spending on a local project that has been vetted locally."

Ryan Smith, a Republican from southeastern Ohio, countered: "This project has gone on for a decade but I think everyone can agree that heading down the wrong path and continuing down the wrong path may be problematic." As to whether it would represent some kind of dangerous precedent for elected leaders to direct state transportation officials not to fund specific projects, he said, "This is the first time I can remember somebody asking not to be funded on a project." (For what it's worth, Governor Kasich added legislation to a previous budget that forbid state money from being spent on the Cincinnati Streetcar.)

You can watch the exchange between Driehaus and Smith here at about the 8:30 mark.

Driehaus promised a fight in the legislature, according to the Enquirer. A final decision from the committee is expected Thursday. But the Enquirer's Jason Williams wondered following the hearing whether the project was "on life support."

Even if Brinkman amendment is approved Thursday, Governor John Kasich could still choose to strike it with a line item veto.

Meanwhile, local residents are awaiting the results of a federally mandated mediation process between ODOT and highway opponents. The project could potentially be halted when that report is released in March as well.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

OPINION: Actually, Amazon’s Cargo E-Bikes are Good!

Amazon’s e-cargo bikes alleviate the need for delivery vans and reduce traffic collisions. They also look rad.

August 5, 2025

Inside Instacart’s Astro-Turf Group Opposing Worker Minimum Wage

Instacart is trying everything to pressure the mayor to veto a bill that would require the company to pay its workers minimum wage.

August 5, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines: Hit-And-Run Edition

A look at this year's traffic stats. Plus other news.

August 5, 2025

DOT Reveals Transformational Plan For Flatbush Ave. — But Needs To Get The Details Right

The bus-first transformation is an ambitious project that could speed buses by 20 percent while also calming the roadway's notorious traffic. But it's not perfect.

August 4, 2025

Monday’s Headlines: We’re Living Rent Free in Mayor Adams’s Brain Edition

Mayor Adams doesn't want you talking about his record on bike lanes. Plus more news.

August 4, 2025

Here’s A Bus Rapid Transit Plan For New York … If the City Cares

It sure beats the current method of guessing or simply basing the route on how strongly a given neighborhood opposes or supports it.

August 1, 2025
See all posts