The Kilgour Family Streetcar thrived in Oakley until 1951, when it no longer served the public’s needs. Accompanied by high fares and inefficient routes, Oakley’s residents did not contest the termination of streetcar operations. Although the Kilgour Family Streetcar was key in the characterization and urbanization of Oakley, it was not the only failed transit-stop on the journey to finding the light at the end of the tunnel for Oakley; the light signifying an efficient, reliable transportation system to serve its residents.
Cincinnati encounters hundreds of commuters, residents, shoppers everyday, and unbeknownst to most, right below all the energy and excitement rests seven miles of ruined tunnel and six subway stops. Here lies America’s …show more content…
By early 1921, the hypothetical inflation that some feared, became a reality as the city was only able to fund the construction of seven of the original sixteen miles the city proposed. It was clear that the original rapid transit loop plan could not be built, in full, for the initial $6 Million price tag. This was large in part to the doubling construction cost throughout wartime. Therefore, to build the entire subway loop it would match the initial appraisal costs of $12 Million. To stay on budget, the city concluded that the Cincinnati Subway would produce the most revenue if it served the western half and the section of the loop from Saint Bernard to Oakley. Thus, with insufficient funds, it was time to cut the eastern half of the loop plan that stretched from Oakley back into downtown. If the city were to extend the track to Oakley, this would require the completion of all the proposed stations, the creation of five more stations, and an added $1.3 Million. For $6 Million, the line would need to exclude the eastern half, but could still follow its original plan, only extending from downtown to Oakley, not looping back from Oakley into downtown. It is important to note that this quoted $6 Million did not include the construction costs of installment of the
Cincinnati encounters hundreds of commuters, residents, shoppers everyday, and unbeknownst to most, right below all the energy and excitement rests seven miles of ruined tunnel and six subway stops. Here lies America’s …show more content…
By early 1921, the hypothetical inflation that some feared, became a reality as the city was only able to fund the construction of seven of the original sixteen miles the city proposed. It was clear that the original rapid transit loop plan could not be built, in full, for the initial $6 Million price tag. This was large in part to the doubling construction cost throughout wartime. Therefore, to build the entire subway loop it would match the initial appraisal costs of $12 Million. To stay on budget, the city concluded that the Cincinnati Subway would produce the most revenue if it served the western half and the section of the loop from Saint Bernard to Oakley. Thus, with insufficient funds, it was time to cut the eastern half of the loop plan that stretched from Oakley back into downtown. If the city were to extend the track to Oakley, this would require the completion of all the proposed stations, the creation of five more stations, and an added $1.3 Million. For $6 Million, the line would need to exclude the eastern half, but could still follow its original plan, only extending from downtown to Oakley, not looping back from Oakley into downtown. It is important to note that this quoted $6 Million did not include the construction costs of installment of the