Metro Transit Infrastructure Funds
Metro Transit Infrastructure Funds
In May 2020, the residents of Hamilton County voted to replace Cincinnati Metro’s existing funding model, which relied primarily on the city’s earnings tax, with a new funding structure. Effective January 2021, a 0.8% sales tax will fund SORTA for the next 25 years.
75% of the sales tax levy (or 0.6%) funds Metro’s bus service operations and capital costs. The remaining 25% (0.2%) funds infrastructure improvements such as road, bridge and sidewalk improvements that fall within Metro’s service area and benefit bus service.
Current Applications
Fiscal Year 2025 Grant Applications
Metro is currently accepting applications for the fourth cycle of the Metro Transit Infrastructure Fund (MTIF). These grants aim to support various transit-related improvements, including road, bridge, and sidewalk enhancements within ¾ mile of Metro’s service area in Hamilton County.
Application Guidelines
Hamilton County and all municipalities and townships in Hamilton County are eligible to apply for grants. The Metro Transit Infrastructure Fund Applicant Guidelines provide details on the grant program and the application process.
Download the 2025 applicant guidelines.
Download the 2025 application.
Download the 2025 application checklist.
Download the Bus Stop Guidelines.
Download the Bus Route Information Files.
Purpose
The Metro Transit Infrastructure Fund program was established to manage the portion of the sales tax levy (the 0.2%) allocated to roadway infrastructure.
- The goal of the program is to assist localities within Hamilton County in improving the state of their roadway infrastructure
- Improve overall mobility for Hamilton County residents by providing grant funds to roads that are within Metro’s service area
Applicant Guidelines
Hamilton County and all municipalities and townships in Hamilton County are eligible to apply for grants. The Metro Transit Infrastructure Fund Applicant Guidelines provide details on the grant program and the application process.
2024 Application guidelines coming soon.
Eligible Projects
Infrastructure projects eligible for consideration must be within ¾ mile of a Metro fixed transit route – excluding stretches on limited access highways, classified as Class 1, such as I-275, I-75, I-74 and I-71.
Contact
Any questions regarding the Transit Infrastructure Fund may be directed to Khaled Shammout, Chief Strategic Planning, Development and Innovation Officer, at kshammout@go-metro.com or by phone at 513-632-7671.
Project Approval
The Transit Infrastructure Fund program is being administered by SORTA staff. Transit Infrastructure Fund applications will be scored by an evaluation committee designated by SORTA. Final approval of selected projects will be granted by the OPWC District 2 Integrating Committee.
Previous Projects
Fiscal Year 2024 Grants Awarded
Metro has awarded $19.1 million for nine projects across seven Hamilton County municipalities in the fourth round of Transit Infrastructure Fund grants. Metro accepted applications for this round between March 1 and May 31, 2024. In August 2024, the Metro Board of Trustees designated the recipients and sent them to the Hamilton County Integrating Committee for final review and approval. Funds will be dispersed in Q1 2025.
2024 Projects
Page Content
Montgomery Road North Improvements (from Ross Ave. to N. Corp line)
- Mill existing surface and overlay with new asphalt surface. Repair full depth as required.
- Replace curb ramps, adjust utility grates/manholes and repair concrete bus pads
- Existing pavement is in very poor condition, with major cracking and potholes.
Central Parkway Bikeway Ph. 3 (12th St. to Eggleston)
- Removal of one lane of traffic in each direction from 12th to Main, and an EB lane from Main to Eggleston, with parking “shifted” out one lane toward the center of the road.
- Removed lanes will be replaced with separated, protected bike lanes in each direction
- Bike lanes will be resurfaced, and curb ramps replaced.
- Protected intersection designs will act as bump outs at the crosswalks, decreasing pedestrian exposure to traffic.
Victory Parkway Safety Improvements
- Right-sizing of the roadway throughout the corridor transforming the current lane configuration into one travel lane in each direction with a center turn lane (as necessary)
- Addition of bike lanes and multi-use-paths
- Addition of two raised crosswalks
- Modification of the intersection of Martin Drive & Eden Park drive to an allway-stop intersection with one lane on each leg of the intersection
- Adding missing sidewalks on the West side of Eden Park Drive and widening the existing narrow walks along Eden Park Drive
- On the Park Ave bridge over Kemper Ln, the existing railings and sidewalks will be completely replaced
Ridge Avenue Rehabilitation
- Asphalt repairs and replacement including butt joints at interesting streets
- Concrete bus pads
- Curb repairs, ADA curb ramps
- Driveway aprons
Montgomery Road Sidewalk (from Kemper Road to Symes Creek Dr.)
- New sidewalk along southeast side of Montgomery Road
- Includes spur connections on side roads into adjacent subdivisions
- Curb ramp improvements at Kemper, and coordination w/parallel ODOT curb ramp project.
Sycamore Township North Connectivity Project
- New sidewalk on Deerfield Road, Bawen Road, Kemper Road and Snider Road
- Repaving adjacent pavement Kemper, Deerfield, Baen and Snider Roads
- New concrete curb to manage stormwater
- Replace curb ramps at intersections, and add new or improved curb ramps at bus stops
Wayne Avenue Sidewalk (from Glendale Milford Rd. to the south City limits
- New concrete curb and sidewalk along the east side of Wayne Ave.
- New curb ramps to meet ADA requirements
- New drainage system to repair and extend existing system.
East Kemper Rd Improvements
- Asphalt repair of roadway
- Sidewalks, curbs, and ADA ramps.
- Construction of a multi-use path
Cornell Road Improvements
- Full depth repair of roadway, sidewalks, curbs, and ADA ramps.
- 4800ft of roadway and drive aprons
- Storm sewer structures
- Guardrail replacements
Fiscal Year 2023 Grants Awarded
Metro has awarded $27 million for 29 projects across Hamilton County municipalities in the third round of Transit Infrastructure Fund grants. SORTA accepted applications for this round between March 1 and May 31, 2023. In August, the Metro Board of Trustees designated the recipients and sent them to the Hamilton County Integrating Committee for final review and approval. Funds will be dispersed in Q1 2024.
Fiscal Year 2022 Grants Awarded
Metro has awarded nearly $40 million for 36 projects across 26 Hamilton County municipalities in the second round of Transit Infrastructure Fund grants. SORTA accepted applications for this round between April 1 and June 30, 2022. In September, the Metro Board of Trustees designated the recipients and sent them to the Hamilton County Integrating Committee for final review and approval. In November, the Integrating Committee gave final approval.
Fiscal Year 2021 TIF Award Recipients
Congratulations to the 22 Hamilton County communities that were awarded grants for 30 infrastructure improvement projects during the inaugural round of transit infrastructure funding!
Purpose
The Metro Transit Infrastructure Fund program was established to manage the portion of the sales tax levy (the 0.2%) allocated to roadway infrastructure.
- The goal of the program is to assist localities within Hamilton County in improving the state of their roadway infrastructure
- Improve overall mobility for Hamilton County residents by providing grant funds to roads that are within Metro’s service area
Applicant Guidelines
Hamilton County and all municipalities and townships in Hamilton County are eligible to apply for grants. The Metro Transit Infrastructure Fund Applicant Guidelines provide details on the grant program and the application process.
2024 Application guidelines coming soon.
Eligible Projects
Infrastructure projects eligible for consideration must be within ¾ mile of a Metro fixed transit route – excluding stretches on limited access highways, classified as Class 1, such as I-275, I-75, I-74 and I-71.
Project Approval
The Transit Infrastructure Fund program is being administered by SORTA staff. Transit Infrastructure Fund applications will be scored by an evaluation committee designated by SORTA. Final approval of selected projects will be granted by the OPWC District 2 Integrating Committee.
Contact
Any questions regarding the Transit Infrastructure Fund may be directed to Khaled Shammout, Chief Strategic Planning, Development and Innovation Officer, at kshammout@go-metro.com or by phone at 513-632-7671.