Metro News

FUNDS AWARDED FOR 29 INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN 20 MUNICIPALITIES ACROSS HAMILTON COUNTY.
Cincinnati, Ohio – Earlier this week, Cincinnati Metro held its third annual Metro Transit Infrastructure Funds (MTIF) Grant Signing Ceremony, honoring Hamilton County’s historic investment in transit-related infrastructure. Now in its third year, the ceremony marked the distribution of $27.8 million in grants, supporting 29 projects spread across 20 municipalities within Hamilton County. 

Since 2021, through MTIF grants, Metro has allocated $294 million in funds to bolster transportation projects in municipalities across Hamilton County. $204.9M of those funds have been awarded to the Western Hills Viaduct, which receives $14.5M in funding each year for the next 13 years — bringing the total amount awarded for the third round of MTIF grants to just over $42 million. The Western Hills Viaduct received $8.2 million for each of the first two rounds of funding.

“Hamilton County voters are seeing tangible results from their commitment to transit,” said Kreg Keesee, Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority Board Chair. “Through this grant program, many key pieces of infrastructure have been completed or are under construction, leading to an improved quality of life for residents by enhancing connectivity and providing better access to transportation.

The Transit Infrastructure Fund was established when Hamilton County voters in 2020 approved Issue 7, which allocated 25% of Metro’s .8% county sales tax proceeds to be used for transit-related infrastructure improvements within Metro’s service area throughout the county.

“We’re delivering on our promise to Hamilton County voters that demanded and deserve a revitalized transit system,” said Darryl Haley, CEO and General Manager of Metro. “The MTIF funds, coupled with improved and expanded Metro services are enabling us to improve overall mobility throughout the region.”

“The goals of the program are to assist Hamilton County municipalities in improving transit-related infrastructure within ¾ mile of Metro’s service area,” said Khaled Shammout, Chief Strategic Planning, Development & Innovation Officer of Metro. “These goals are being met and even surpassed by the quality of projects selected this year and the previous two years.”

Representatives from the award-winning municipalities and other dignitaries from across the county attended the signing ceremony. Among the leaders who provided remarks were Hamilton County Commission President, Alicia Reece and Cincinnati Mayor, Aftab Pureval.

A full listing of projects receiving funding is available here.