Southgate has been awarded a $662,000 grant for sidewalk improvements on US 27.
The grant was federal Transportation Alternatives funding through the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments, also known as OKI, for Phase 1 of the US-27 Corridor Sidewalk Project within the city.
This US-27 Corridor Sidewalk Project will improve nearly 400 feet of pedestrian infrastructure along a key Northern Kentucky corridor. The project area has suffered in recent years from stormwater leaking through a failing retaining wall that is moving and causing damage to the sidewalk and curbs, creating a challenging terrain for children, the elderly, and disabled users. This funding will help remediate these issues, ensuring a safer connection for pedestrians traveling to school, work, or local businesses.
This federal grant is the largest grant awarded in the city’s history.
“US-27 is a busy corridor through Southgate, and improving pedestrian safety has always been a priority for our city,” said Southgate Mayor Jim Hamberg in a press release. “This funding gives us the opportunity to address longstanding infrastructure issues and make this area safer and more accessible for residents, especially children and older adults. It’s also the first step in our larger plan to improve pedestrian infrastructure along US-27. We appreciate the work of Southbank Partners and Verdantas to help the city secure this funding, as well as OKI for making this project possible.”
The award is part of $65 million in transportation funding recently approved by the OKI Board of Directors for 37 projects across the Greater Cincinnati region.
The Transportation Alternatives program provides federal funding for projects that improve pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, enhance safety, and strengthen connections between neighborhoods, business districts and community destinations.
“This grant is a continuation of funding along the corridor to improve pedestrian safety and connectivity between cities and business districts,” said President and CEO of Southbank Partners Will Weber. “We have been working on the US-27 Corridor since 2018 to improve safety and spur economic development. Mayor Jim Hamberg and the City have been committed to prioritizing safety in the city, and their leadership has been instrumental to ensure this project moves forward. We’re proud to work alongside them and the Verdantas team to help secure this funding. We appreciate the OKI Board of Directors for supporting this investment, and we look forward to seeing the improvements take shape.”
