PUBLIC COMMENT ALERT: Tell leaders to Require a Full Environmental Impact Statement for I-75 Expansion

Speak at the Climate, Environment, & Infrastructure Committee Meeting

Why This Matters

In 2023, Cincinnati formally apologized to the West End for displacing 26,000 people through I-75's construction. City officials promised reconciliation and reconnection.

Now ODOT plans to expand the same interstate through the West End again.

How to Participate

In-person: Arrive by 9:50 AM if speaking in person to fill out a speaker's card

Virtually: Register here by 2pm the day prior to the meeting to comment virtually.

What to Say: Key Talking Points

Your truth is your power. Speak from the heart to make your case. Use the guidance below for support and inspiration.

Tell the CEI Committee to demand the Federal Highway Administration/DOT conduct a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the planned I-75 highway expansion through the West End.

Ideas for Your Comments

1. Share Your Personal Story Your personal experience is powerful. How does air quality, traffic, or highway expansion affect your life or community?

2. Ask Compelling Questions Questions can be just as powerful as statements. Consider asking: "Councilmembers, do you think it's fair that some people in Cincinnati have access to healthful air and others do not?" "When you apologized to the West End for their community being disrupted and displaced when I-75 was originally built, did you really mean it? If so, why aren't you opposed to highway expansion in the West End today?" "Don't you think children in the West End should be able to play outside without breathing dangerous levels of PM2.5 pollution?"

3. Reference the Green Cincinnati Plan The highway widening goes against the City's own Green Cincinnati Plan and climate commitments.

Committee members include:

• Meeka Owens, Chairperson

• Mark Jeffreys, Vice-Chair

• Jeff Cramerding, Member

• Seth Walsh, Member

Transportation Information:

• Bike Parking A Red Bike station is located directly outside of City Hall on Plum & 9th. Ample bike staples are available nearby.

• Public Transit Metro Buses 6 and 49 stop directly outside of City Hall on Plum St. Many buses also stop one block away on 9th St east of Plum.

  • 6 (Queen City Avenue) runs every 20 minutes from West Town Center to Downtown via South Fairmount and Central Parkway.

  • 49 (Fairmount) runs every 30-40 minutes from English Woods to Downtown through North and South Fairmount, Queensgate, and the West End on Ezzard Charles and Central.

• Streetcar Ride the Connector for free, then exit at Washington Park, 12th & Vine, or Central Parkway stops and walk or roll 7 blocks west.