Multiple cities from Campbell, Kenton, and Boone Counties have received grant funding from the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments, also known as OKI, for regional transportation projects.
The agency awarded a total of $11.19 million across the three counties; it awarded $69 million in funding across the three states.
“$69 million dollars is the largest amount of funding OKI has ever awarded in a single year,” CEO Mark Policinski said. “In large part, this is due to the increase in formula funds provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Never have these investments been more critical for our economy, our safety and our future.”
Bellevue
The City of Bellevue in Campbell County received grants for two different sidewalk projects.
The city received $1.8 million to install about 2,000 feet of sidewalk on Covert Run Pike from the Bellevue Reserves (formerly the trailer park) down to the sidewalk by the 300 block near Taylor Avenue. The project also includes installing drainage and resurfacing the road.
The second project — to install a sidewalk on the south side of Frank Benke Way and in front of the Eagles on the North side, in front of Bellevue Beach Park — received $435,994. The project plans also call to widen the street and add handicap ramps where needed.
Both grants require a 20% match from the city or about $405,000.
Bellevue Mayor Charlie Cleves sits on the OKI board and helps determine where the funds are allocated.
Newport
The City of Newport in Campbell County received $595,474 for sidewalk improvements.
The improvements will be made along both sides of Monmouth Street and the south side of 3rd Street. The project will remove existing brick pavers and replace them with stamped concrete.
Newport will match 20% of the grant or $132,000.
Silver Grove
The City of Silver Grove in Campbell County received a grant for $310,642 for a KY 8 sidewalk project.
The project includes extending the sidewalk to the eastern city limit near Melbourne. This project has three phases. Once all stages are complete, residents will have a walkable connection to access parks, government services, restaurants, etc.
There will be a 20% grant match from Silver Grove, or $70,173.
Covington
The City of Covington in Kenton County received a grant for $934,917 for Madison Avenue Signal Improvements.
The project outlines to reconstruct signals at Madison Avenue and 6th Street and Madison Avenue, and Pike Street. It also calls to interconnect the city’s traffic signals along Madison Avenue between 6th Street and Robbins Street, with possible interconnection with KYTC-owned signals at 4th, 5th, 11th, and 12th Streets.
Covington would match 20% or $187,554 for this project.
Crestview Hills
The City of Crestview Hills in Kenton County was awarded $144,072 in funds for a Dixie Highway Sidewalk project.
The project includes a new sidewalk along the south side of Dixie Highway from Carran Drive to Whitehouse Drive.
Crestview Hills would match 20% of the funds or $32,000.
Elsmere
The City of Elsmere in Kenton County was awarded $276,992 in funds for new sidewalks near Howell Elementary.
The project plans call for a new sidewalk and to update a sidewalk that is not ADA-compliant along Edwards Road from Central Row Road to the existing sidewalk.
Elsmere will match 20% of the funds or $64,000.
Villa Hills
The City of Villa Hills in Kenton County received $3.8 million in funding for sidewalk and drainage improvement at the intersection of Amsterdam Road and Collins Road.
The plans include converting the existing three-way stop to a fully signalized intersection. It also calls for new turn lanes, protected pedestrian crossing signals, and a new sidewalk along both Collins Road and Amsterdam Road will be implemented along with stormwater improvements.
Villa Hills will match 20% of the funds for this project, or $853,000.
Boone County Fiscal Court
Boone County received $564,831 in funds for a sidewalk project in the Cherry Hills subdivision.
This project calls to replace all the sidewalks in the Cherry Hills subdivision and includes ADA curb ramps and driveway aprons.
The local match for this project is 50% or $500,000.
Boone County, KY 237
Boone County received $647,035 in funds to make changes to KY 237.
The project includes building right-turn lanes at multiple intersections along KY 237, Conrad Lane, Cougar Path, Limaburg Road, Barbara Drive, and Coral Drive.
The local match for this project is 50% or $575,000.
Walton
The City of Walton in Boone County received additional funding for $205,711 for the High Street Pedestrian Bridge.
The plans include an aluminum truss bridge with associated foundations, access stairs, and ADA lifts to restore the defunct pedestrian crossing over the Norfolk Southern Railroad line. The project also includes a sidewalk replacement between the existing pedestrian facilities along Main Street and High Street.
Walton was previously awarded $220,000 for this project.
The city will match 20% or $93,026.
Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky
The Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky, known locally as TANK, received $1.5 million in grants for new buses.
The plans include purchasing 18 demand response buses to be used in the operation of the Regional Area Mobility Program.
The local match for this project is 20% or $329,858.
