Opposition Mounts to Brent Spence Corridor Highway Expansion
Over 200 concerned citizens submitted comments on the Brent Spence Corridor Expansion Project, urging ODOT to conduct a full Environmental Impact Statement and to address critical issues regarding the expansion project, including potential environmental damage, public health risks, social inequities, and the need for sustainable transportation alternatives.
In recent weeks, hundreds of concerned citizens have submitted public comments opposing the Ohio Department of Transportation's plan to dramatically expand the I-75 highway corridor as part of the Brent Spence Bridge replacement project. The comments highlight numerous flaws and shortcomings in ODOT's proposal:
1. Environmental Impact Statement (EIS): A significant number of comments urge the City Council to request that the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) conduct a full and updated Environmental Impact Statement. Many believe that the current environmental assessment from 2012 is outdated and fails to consider recent changes in traffic patterns, environmental factors, and concerns raised by the EPA.
2. Environmental and Health Impacts: Commenters express concerns about the project's potential negative impacts on air quality, noise pollution, and overall public health, particularly for communities near the construction area. The destruction of green spaces and wildlife habitats, such as the endangered bat colonies, is also a major concern.
3. Environmental Justice and Racial Equity: Many comments highlight the disproportionate impact of the project on low-income and minority communities, particularly in the West End neighborhood. Some mention the recent apology from the City to the West End for past harms caused by the original highway construction and fear that this project will perpetuate these injustices.
4. Alternatives and Transit: Several comments suggest that ODOT should explore alternatives to highway expansion, such as congestion pricing, tolls, and investing in public transit. Many believe that expanding highways will only lead to more traffic and congestion in the long run, and that the focus should be on creating a more sustainable and equitable transportation system.
5. Induced Travel Demand: Commenters argue that the current plan fails to adequately address the concept of induced travel demand, where adding more highway lanes leads to an increase in traffic volume over time. They believe that the projected traffic increases used to justify the project are unrealistic and have not materialized.
6. Climate Change and Sustainability: Many comments emphasize the need for the project to align with the City's sustainability goals and to consider the long-term impacts on greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
7. Community Impact and Connectivity: Concerns are raised about the project's impact on neighborhood connectivity, particularly in the West End. Some commenters suggest that the project should aim to reconnect communities and minimize the highway's footprint.
"ODOT needs to consider the Green House Gas emissions from construction, a massive amount during the years of construction, which will continue adding to the planet's heating every year for perhaps the next century," wrote Travis Lee from Cincinnati.
Bethany Moore from Covington said, "The end product is not wanted by the community. Please use this money towards better public transport systems to reduce traffic instead of adding more road[s]. More lanes does not solve the traffic issue."
"I am writing this letter to implore you to do all you can to shrink the footprint of the I-71 and I-75 interchange at the North end of the Brent Spence Bridge." implored Wesley Wettengel from Cincinnati. "The fabric of the city was torn apart in the 60s to force the highway through the vibrant area West of downtown. This damage was immense and unrepairable. But now we have a chance to try and stitch the city back together and connect the West side of downtown with the urban core. This is not easy and will not perfectly connect the city but it will be a major improvement to the current conditions. Please be forward thinking and work on making a downtown [our] children's children will be proud to call home."
“As a young resident of Cincinnati I am worried about the environment my generation and the ones to come will have to live in. The automobile industry has had a very negative impact on the world’s climate and I don’t want Cincinnati to contribute to that. I hope that this project will be assessed for its effect on the environment before it goes through.” Aiden McGinnis, Cincinnati
Overall, the public comments reveal a strong desire for a more comprehensive, updated, and transparent assessment of the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project's environmental, social, and health impacts, as well as a call for the exploration of more sustainable and equitable transportation alternatives.
It's not too late for ODOT to change course. With billions in funding available, now is the time to invest in a modern, multi-modal regional transportation system anchored by fast, frequent rail transit connecting our communities. Paired with redesigned bridges and highways that minimize their footprint, this would be a legacy project to make Cincinnatians proud.
Get involved by sending a message to Cincinnati City Council urging them to expand transit, not highways. Join the movement for a better transportation future in Cincinnati.
