The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA) recently awarded the Phase 1 Preconstruction Services contract for the Reading Road Corridor Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project to Herzog Contracting Corp. (Herzog), which will serve as the Prime Contractor. This Construction Management at Risk (CMAR) new start project will connect Downtown Cincinnati with the Roselawn neighborhood through a 9.2-mile high-capacity bus line.

The Reading Road Corridor BRT system will operate on new dedicated transit-only lanes that run along a majority of the corridor, separating the system from standard vehicular traffic. Road widening will be completed to allow for new lane construction. The project includes 23 station platforms that will be constructed for the corridor. All platforms will be level boarding and fully ADA-compliant. Twenty-one of the platforms will be curbside and two will be center-running.

Additional project scope includes civil works, such as roadway resurfacing, drainage improvements, utility relocations, sidewalk construction, and pavement markings. Traffic signals at over 30 intersections along the corridor will be relocated. A new Transit Signal Priority (TSP) system will be integrated into the existing roadway signal network, allowing the BRT system to make less stops between station platforms. The new BRT line will transform public transit for the Cincinnati region, improving connectivity both downtown and with surrounding neighborhoods. The line will serve in-demand areas of Roselawn, Woodward, Avondale Town Center, and the Hospital District.

“We applaud SORTA and all the stakeholders for their commitment to deliver the largest transportation project in the Cincinnati area. We look forward to building a lasting relationship and bringing this project in on time and under budget,” said Scott Norman, Executive Vice President of Construction for Herzog Contracting, Corp.

Revenue service is expected to begin in early 2028.