The City of Southgate has been awarded $662,000 in federal Transportation Alternatives (TA) funding through the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI) for Phase 1 of the US-27 Corridor Sidewalk Project within the city. This federal grant is the largest grant awarded in the city’s history and marks a major step toward prioritizing pedestrian safety for residents, especially children and elderly along this vehicle dominated corridor.
Under the leadership of Southgate Mayor Jim Hamberg, the city worked closely with both Verdantas and Southbank Partners to develop a successful application for the competitive federal funding. The collaboration helped secure an important investment in the city’s infrastructure, which will move the first phase of the US-27 Corridor Sidewalk Project closer to implementation.
“US-27 is a busy corridor through Southgate, and improving pedestrian safety has always been a priority for our city,” said Mayor Jim Hamberg. “This funding gives us the opportunity to address longstanding infrastructure issues and make this area safer and more accessible for residents, especially children and older adults. It’s also the first step in our larger plan to improve pedestrian infrastructure along US-27. We appreciate the work of Southbank Partners and Verdantas to help the city secure this funding, as well as OKI for making this project possible.”
The award is part of $65 million in transportation funding recently approved by the OKI Board of Directors for 37 projects across the Greater Cincinnati region. The investment supports roadway improvements, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, and other transportation projects aimed at improving safety and mobility. Several Northern Kentucky communities were among the funding recipients, reflecting the continued importance of regional cooperation in securing resources for local infrastructure improvements.
This US-27 Corridor Sidewalk Project will improve nearly 400 feet of pedestrian infrastructure along a key Northern Kentucky corridor. The project area has suffered greatly in recent years with stormwater leaking through a failing retaining wall that is moving and causing damage to the sidewalk and curbs, creating a challenging terrain for children, elderly, and disabled users. This funding will help remediate these issues ensuring a safer connection for pedestrians traveling to school, work, or local businesses.
The Transportation Alternatives program provides federal funding for projects that improve pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, enhance safety, and strengthen connections between neighborhoods, business districts, and community destinations.
City of Southgate