Cincinnati

July 2013

Construction Contract Signed

Metro Report International reports that the main construction contract for the 5.8 km first phase of the Cincinnati Streetcar project was signed by the city council and the MPD joint venture of Messer, Prus and Delta Railroad on July 15, enabling the council to issue a notice to proceed.

Utility relocation works for the streetcar project are already underway. Notice to proceed with the main construction had been planned for April 8, and the delay has led to a $492,933 increase in the price of the contract, which is now $71.4m. The council said this 'reasonable' increase includes higher materials, labor and equipment costs.

The planned opening date has also been put back from April 2, 2016 to September 15, 2016.

The Cincinnati Streetcar is intended to link city center employment locations. It will use a pair of single tracks along parallel streets, running from Second Street at The Banks to Henry Street in Over-the-Rhine. There will be 18 stops designed by local firm DNK Architects. Transportation Resource Associates has been appointed to refine the start-up, operations and maintenance plan on behalf of operator Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority.

CAF USA is to provide five 100% low-floor three-section Urbos 3 trams. To meet Buy America requirements final assembly will be undertaken in Elmira, New York, using components supplied from Zaragoza and Beasain in Spain.
The total cost of the streetcar project is put at $147.8m, including $44.9m from federal sources.

Streetcar Attracts Occupants

The www.bizjournals.com site reports that real estate is an increasingly hot commodity along the future streetcar route. The Hanke Exchange, made up of five buildings, should be fully occupied by year end, up from 28 percent occupied three years ago. A wide range of businesses are moving into the complex.