CINCINNATI/NORTHERN KENTUCKY
July 9 2009
PART 1

A Roads Scholar from the Internet breezed into town, and he wanted to do some Scholaring - thus making this a rarity for the 2000s: a car-based Scholaring in Cincinnati. There were a few surprises during this event, and you're gonna love 'em!

I got over 100 photos for this 5-part set, since one of the major aims of this event was to take pictures. Locals might find some of these photos all too familiar - but they'll find some real gems too!






This proves Kentucky is not a uniformly rural state. Here we're going north on Greenup Street in Covington, looking into Cincinnati. Greenup carries northbound KY 17 here, but it loses KY 17 at this intersection, as KY 17 bips left onto the approach for the Roebling Suspension Bridge - a span you can see part of in the background.




Such a pity this came out so grainy - but they get better! This is getting onto the Suspension Bridge - which is designated KY 17 even into Ohio.




The end of the Suspension Bridge in Cincinnati. This approach was rebuilt extensively around 2000 - eliminating the ramps from Fort Washington Way that featured the giant yellow diaper pails.




North on Vine Street at 3rd. Note that this major downtown street goes under the Skywalk - the 1970s-era system of walkways linking floors of buildings. Peep the Kroger building behind that.




Still in Ohio, going south on I-75 just before crossing the upper deck of the Brent Spence Bridge. The BGS's are for the Covington exits. The BGS on the right uses the traditional BGS font, but the one on the left uses the new Clearview typeface. Also, although the exits are for state or U.S. routes, these BGS's don't list these designations.




Back in Covington, going north on Main Street, approaching 9th. Main Street here carries US 25/42/127.




Continuing north on Main, approaching 4th. Just ahead, Main feeds into the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge. We're also going under the rail viaduct that feeds into the C&O Bridge that accompanies the Clay Wade Bailey.




The green arrows can mean only one thing: We're getting on the Clay Wade Bailey - which carries US 25/42/127, of course! (Doesn't everything?)




In Cincinnati again, this is only about the billionth photo I've taken of West 3rd approaching the Baymiller Street ruins. Just checking up on the latest conditions!




East on 7th at Plum!




Now this - this - is a magazine! Just joking! Actually this is east on 2nd, approaching Pete Rose Way. The ramp at left that stays level goes to US 50 east.




Southwest on the Gilbert Avenue Viaduct (US 22/OH 3). We're on the leg that runs into 8th.




Just northeast of downtown, we're on the northbound side of Reading Road (US 42) where it forms a ramp between each side of I-71. The ramp to the right of us is off I-71 north. I believe the BGS with the grimy US 42 shield also had a vague outline of another shield - which would have likely been US 25. US 25 was removed from Reading Road around 1974, which shows you how old the BGS is. I-71 north is the freeway on the right; we're about to cross under I-71 south and accompanying ramp.




North in the 2000 block of Reading Road.




South on I-71, entering Lytle Tunnel. This distinctive 3-tube tunnel goes under Lytle Park. (The middle tube is only for the ramp to 3rd.)




Inside the amazing Lytle Tunnel! When I was young, I dreamed of a nationwide system of underground freeways. I figured they'd look like this.




Fort Washington Way carries I-71 and US 50, and here we're trying to stay on US 50 at the end of that stretch.




For those unfamiliar with Scholaring terminology, allow me to introduce you to button copy. Button copy is the name for the small reflectors on the white letters on some BGS's like these. Most states stopped this practice in the 1990s or so, and these signs are probably older than that. This is west on the 6th Street freeway (US 50/OH 264).




Continuing on the 6th Street freeway. The BGS for US 50/OH 264 is showing its age.




Still on that freeway! We're about to go under the same rail line that runs in the path of Mehring Way. The overpass ahead is dated 1932 (though the freeway was built in the 1960s).




The 6th Street freeway effectively becomes this - the celebrated Waldvogel Viaduct, built in 1940. River Road runs under the viaduct for a few blocks.




Continuing on the Waldvogel Viaduct, just after going over Evans Street.

Keep in mind that we haven't entered the wild yonders yet. The next 4 parts take us to some spots that were completely new to this website!

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