It’s our Anniversary!
As OKI recognizes our 60th anniversary (1964-2024), we offer our deepest gratitude to the region in which we have and will continue to faithfully serve!
We thank our past and present board members, local government members, businesses, civic and community organizations and – You! – the public, for the support and guidance you’ve so freely given in helping to build a region we can all be proud of.
Your trust and collaboration have been integral to our region’s success!
From funding roads and roundabouts, buses and bridges, traffic signals and transit centers, multi-use paths and myriad other infrastructure initiatives, you’ve shared your ideas, dreams and vision for a healthy and efficient transportation system for all.
And there are a couple of reasons for this abidingly successful collaboration.
First, our 118-member board works cooperatively to make sound decisions for the eight counties, three states and the 2.1 million residents for whom we serve. And they represent all jurisdictions — from our biggest counties to our smallest towns. This is a process performed openly and honestly across party lines, boundary lines and state lines on projects great and small to make our region stronger.
The best measure of this unprecedented cooperation is that nearly 100% of OKI board votes have been unanimous for the past 20 years. We average about one ‘no’ vote every 10 years or so. Is there another organization in the country – and the size and breadth of OKI — that operates with such social, political and legislative harmony? But it is safe to say it is a rare occurrence indeed, especially when large sums of monies are to be divided among about 200 communities throughout our three-state region.
Second, our success can also be credited with how the federal funding process works. OKI works “from the bottom up.” Local governments set transportation priorities for the OKI region. OKI-funded projects are submitted by these jurisdictions. OKI does not determine which projects are submitted. As testament to this success, our project prioritization process has been judged “Best Practice” by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
As we reflect on the achievements of the past, know that OKI is planning for the future of our region’s transportation system. This includes electric vehicles and their infrastructure; connecting the region through multi-use paths; increased pedestrian and bike safety; autonomous vehicles; more transit opportunities for people with disabilities and seniors, electrifying our transit systems; the Brent Spence Bridge and Western Hills Viaduct super projects; and much more are in our sights.
To see how we’re doing this, visit our 2050 Transportation Plan. Its vision is to “develop innovative, sustainable and multimodal transportation solutions that support the goals and economy of the Greater Cincinnati area.”
In recognition of our 60th anniversary, we will be turning to our social media platforms to share some of the many milestones we’ve reached together.
So, please keep an eye out for these posts because you — the people who live and work in this region — have helped shape the transportation system we see today … and the one we’re building for tomorrow!
