Cincinnati Corridor: $662,000 Grant to Rebuild US-27 Sidewalks

The Ohio Kentucky Indiana Regional Council of Governments has allocated $662,000 to repair deteriorating sidewalks along US-27 in Southgate, Kentucky.

Southgate Mayor Jim Hamburg described the current conditions as a safety hazard. He noted that visible deterioration has made the walkway difficult to use, stating that the curb is gone. The grant will cover the complete reconstruction of the pedestrian corridor, including new sidewalks, curbs, and retaining walls.

Shelly Reutter shared that her late husband used a wheelchair to access grocery stores in the area. She explained that the poor condition of the path often forced him to cross the street multiple times or drive into the road to avoid large potholes. These gaps effectively blocked wheelchair access for years.

This specific allocation is part of a larger $65 million award given to public transportation projects across the Cincinnati area. Bob Koehler of the regional council noted that nearly all projects in Northern Kentucky include features for bikes and pedestrians.

City officials view this initial funding as the first step in a longer plan. Mayor Hamburg indicated that two or three additional phases of improvement are anticipated. Construction on the first phase is scheduled to begin in 2030.