WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) sent a letter to the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA) in support of a new bike and pedestrian trail in Cincinnati. The Oasis bike trail would connect downtown Cincinnati to Cincinnati Municipal Lunken Airport and connect the city to a statewide trail system that includes Cleveland and Columbus.

“Bicycle and pedestrian trails are proven economic development tools and I believe this project could also increase opportunities for development in the adjacent neighborhoods,” Brown wrote. “I encourage the SORTA Board to take the necessary actions to allow the proposed trail project to move forward as work continues to expand the bicycle trail network across the region.”

The full letter can be read below:

 

February 17, 2015

 

 

Mr. Jason Dunn

Chair of the Board of Trustees

Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority

602 Main Street, Suite 1100

Cincinnati, OH 45202

Re: Oasis Trail

Dear Chairman Dunn:

I encourage the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA) to support the conversion of portions of the unused Oasis Rail Line to a bicycle trail running from downtown Cincinnati to Lunken Airport.

It is my understanding this project would convert an unused rail line into four miles of bike and pedestrian trails. Construction of this trail could provide significant benefits to the region. This trail will connect downtown Cincinnati and its world-class riverfront parks to a regional and state-wide trail system—ultimately allowing a bicyclist to ride from the banks of the Ohio River to the Lake Erie shore. Bike commuters would also have an additional route to downtown free of cross streets and stop lights.

The proposed trail would also provide users with access to southwest Ohio’s beautiful river valleys and create another asset to retain residents and attract young professionals to Cincinnati. Bicycle and pedestrian trails are proven economic development tools and I believe this project could also increase opportunities for development in the adjacent neighborhoods.

I encourage the SORTA Board to take the necessary actions to allow the proposed trail project to move forward as work continues to expand the bicycle trail network across the region. I look forward to working with you and SORTA to improve transit service and access across Greater Cincinnati. I urge you to give full and fair consideration to this proposal.

 

 

                                                            Sincerely,

 

 

 

###