Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Streetsblog.net

Highway Fallout: Images of Cincinnati Before and After the Road Bomb

Aaron Renn at the Urbanophile has been looking at the devastation wrought on different cities by highways. And he's uncovered a pretty dramatic example in these pre- and post-highway photos of Cincinnati's West End.

Here's a view of the neighborhood in the 1950s, the "before" photo:

false

And here's a satellite view of how it looks today:

false

It's almost unrecognizable, but on the left in both photos you can see Cincinnati's in-tact Union Terminal train station. In the later version, a lovely City Beautiful-style plaza in front of the station has been converted to parking. Much of the rest of the area has been converted to industrial parks.

Renn says:

Over the Rhine is one of America’s most stunning historic districts. When I visited the city last year, one of the locals explained that there had been “miles” of neighborhoods just like it obliterated by freeway construction. I found this difficult to credit until I came across the photographic proof.

If the West End was still walkable and people-centered, would it be undergoing a renaissance today like Cincy's Over-the-Rhine? We'll never know.

Elsewhere on the Network today: Mobilizing the Region reports that Camden, NJ, recently cut the ribbon on a series of active transportation projects funded by a federal TIGER grant. The Green Lane Project shares a graphic showing which American cities have both protected bike lanes and bike-share. And Second Avenue Sagas posts some intriguing fantasy maps of New York City subways.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Deep Dive: St. Louis Launches $300M Sea Change for Sustainable Transportation

But how did it get there — and can it sustain the momentum?

September 16, 2024

Carmageddon: Shift to Remote Work Led to Increase in Driving and Congestion…

Driving miles are higher today than they were before the pandemic, even though more Americans than ever still work from home.

September 16, 2024

…And in NYC, VMTs Had a Double-Digit Increase, Counter to Regional Goal

The Big Apple is driving itself mad, according to new stats from Streetlight Data.

September 16, 2024

Monday’s Headlines Got a Little Ol’ Convoy

Using big diesel trucks to make deliveries in cities isn't great for the environment or the streets, but there are alternatives, as outlined by Transportation for America.

September 16, 2024

Happy Tenth Anniversary to Streetsblog California

And happy 15th to Streetsblog San Francisco, too!

September 13, 2024
See all posts