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Wasson Way Trail Closer To Becoming A Reality

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City of Cincinnati

Cincinnati has an agreement with Norfolk Southern to buy about four miles of unused railroad track that could eventually become the Wasson Way trail on the city's east side.  The city would pay $11.7 million for the rail property. 

City Trade and Development Director Oscar Bedello praises the agreement, saying "The railroad has agreed to allow us a two-year option. The first year we would pay nothing. Then if we decide to exercise our right to purchase in year two... there would be a five percent fee associated with that."

That would total $578,000.  The city will be applying for a $17 million federal grant to pay for construction of the bicycle and pedestrian trail.  

Private donors and the city would cover another four million dollars for the project.

The Wasson Way plan encompasses about nine miles for bike and pedestrians.  

Mel McVey works for the city's transportation and engineering department. She says, "Technically it gets us into Columbia Township, and then we're investigating three or four different ways that we can go farther east to the existing Little Miami Trail. We're very confident we can get there."
 

Jay Hanselman brings more than 10 years experience as a news anchor and reporter to 91.7 WVXU. He came to WVXU from WNKU, where he hosted the local broadcast of All Things Considered. Hanselman has been recognized for his reporting by the Kentucky AP Broadcasters Association, the Ohio Society of Professional Journalists, and the Ohio AP Broadcasters.