The Consortium's goal in transportation is to create a clear sense of direction, distinct place and better access to neighborhoods, retail centers and major institutions. Toward that end, the Consortium has provided matching funds for an Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI) study on overall traffic and transportation issues in the Uptown area.

Vine Street
Vine Street, which runs through the heart of both downtown and Uptown, is an important piece of the transportation puzzle. A key Consortium recommendation is to reconnect Short Vine to reinforce the grid, strengthen the neighborhoods and link Uptown with the Center City. Traffic would be distributed across multiple streets and extend the Clifton Heights street grid to the Short Vine corridor, and introduce legible, safe pedestrian crossings and continuous "walkable zones."

The southern end of Short Vine at Calhoun would be established as a gateway to Uptown. The Consortium is also studying ways to make the intersection of Vine Street and Martin Luther King Drive a safe and legible place for pedestrians and cars.

Proposed Interchange at I-71 and Martin Luther King Drive
The creation of an interchange at I-71 and MLK has long been a goal of Uptown residents, businesses and leaders, a cause the Consortium has championed. This proposed interchange continues to be studied to ensure minimum land consumption, reduced physical and visual impact and proper distribution of traffic on multiple streets. A revised interchange would also provide greater access to Reading Road and may support future "technology park" plans and retail.  I-71 Uptown Access Progress Summary (April 2010)

Advocacy for Uptown's Transportation Needs
The Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI) is responsible for setting the transportation agenda for the region. The Consortium is working closely with the OKI process to ensure that Uptown's transportation opportunities are seriously evaluated.

This includes the acknowledgment by OKI of Uptown's urban design framework. This framework creates opportunity to establish a balanced, multi-modal district that unifies Uptown. The Consortium envisions, for example, the creation of a coordinated and accessible Uptown shuttle system; the identification of sites for a transit center; and improved public bus connection. The Consortium will work with OKI to encourage the prioritization of Uptown's short and long term transportation objectives.

Parking Standards
The Consortium will encourage the creation of standards for parking and garage designs that support new mixed-use development. On-street parking should be maximized to support retail activity and street life. Parking should be incorporated into the building fabric to minimize visual impact and adverse neighborhood intrusion as parking structures should be wrapped with other active uses.

Wayfinding and Streetscape Design
The implementation of a bold and unified Uptown wayfinding and streetscape design for pedestrians and motorists is vital to the overall transportation effort. This will include the development of a comprehensive, user-friendly Uptown map to locate key Uptown businesses, neighborhoods and institutions. The initial planning process is currently underway.