Cincinnati Wins Federal Funding to Cap Fort Washington Way
City officials announced federal money secured for the long‑delayed downtown highway cap, moving the project into design phase after multiple failed attempts.
- Federal grant awarded to cap Fort Washington Way after three previous failed attempts.
- Funding will fund design, engineering, and environmental review for a deck over the highway.
- City leaders say the project will reconnect downtown, create new housing and public space.
- Officials plan public workshops and aim to start construction by 2028.
Cincinnati officials confirmed that the city has secured a federal grant to move forward with a long‑standing plan to cap a portion of Fort Washington Way, the elevated interstate that bisects downtown. The infusion of federal money, announced this week, clears a major hurdle that has stalled the project through three previous attempts.
Core developments
According to a report from WCPO 9 News, the city received the federal award in early July, enabling the transportation department to begin detailed engineering work on a “deck” that would sit atop the highway and reconnect the riverfront to the central business district. The same funding was highlighted by WLWT, which described the grant as part of a broader effort to “cap” the freeway segment, thereby creating new public space and potential development opportunities.
The Business Journals added that this marks the third time the city has successfully attracted federal money for the project after two prior applications fell short. The article noted that the latest award follows a series of negotiations with the Federal Highway Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation, though it did not disclose the exact dollar amount.
FOX19 emphasized the community‑oriented language used by city leaders, quoting the mayor’s office as describing the initiative as a way to “reconnect our communities” that have been divided by the highway for decades. WVXU echoed this sentiment, reporting that the funding will specifically support the construction of a “cap” structure, a term that city planners use to denote the concrete slab that will sit over the roadway.
The Cincinnati Enquirer provided a timeline, noting that after four attempts dating back to the early 2020s, the city finally secured the necessary federal backing. While the Enquirer did not list the grant size, it highlighted that the award will fund the next design and planning phases, moving the project out of the conceptual stage.
Why it matters
Fort Washington Way has been a physical barrier between downtown’s core and the riverfront since its construction in the 1960s. Urban planners argue that capping the highway would reclaim valuable land, create new streetscapes, and open opportunities for mixed‑use development that could generate jobs and tax revenue. Similar projects in cities such as Dallas (the Klyde Warren Park) and San Francisco (the Embarcadero) have shown that turning elevated freeways into public parks or decked‑over districts can revitalize adjacent neighborhoods.
Economists cited by the Business Journals suggest that the reclaimed space could support several thousand new housing units, addressing Cincinnati’s affordable‑housing gap. Moreover, the deck would provide a continuous pedestrian and bicycle corridor, linking the city’s historic Over-the-Rhine district with the riverfront parks and the central business district, thereby improving mobility and reducing reliance on cars.
From a fiscal perspective, the federal grant reduces the burden on the city’s budget, allowing local funds to be allocated to complementary projects such as streetscape improvements, public art, and transit upgrades. The funding also aligns with the Biden administration’s emphasis on infrastructure that promotes equity and climate‑friendly transportation.
Reactions
City leaders have welcomed the news. The mayor’s office, referenced by FOX19, described the grant as a “critical step toward rebuilding the heart of Cincinnati.” A spokesperson for the Cincinnati Department of Transportation told WVXU that the funding will enable the agency to finalize design documents and begin the environmental review process.
Community groups, while supportive of the vision, have called for transparency regarding the project’s cost and timeline. The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that a neighborhood alliance asked city officials to hold public workshops to ensure that the deck’s design reflects local needs, particularly affordable housing and green space.
Some critics, noted by WLWT, warned that the project’s complexity could lead to cost overruns and construction disruptions. They urged the city to establish clear accountability mechanisms and to secure additional state or private financing before breaking ground.
What’s next
The next phase, as outlined by the Department of Transportation, involves completing schematic designs, conducting environmental impact studies, and securing any remaining permits. The city expects to release a draft master plan to the public within the next six months, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Simultaneously, officials are exploring partnerships with private developers to finance the deck’s construction and the subsequent real‑estate projects that would sit atop it. The federal grant, while substantial, covers only a portion of the projected total cost, meaning that the city will likely pursue additional funding streams, including state infrastructure programs and tax‑increment financing districts.
If the design and financing phases proceed without major setbacks, construction could begin as early as 2028, with an anticipated completion date in the early 2030s. The city has pledged to provide regular updates to residents, aiming to keep the public informed about milestones, construction schedules, and any temporary traffic impacts.