Cincinnati Subway

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Downtown Cincinnati Subway entrance

The Cincinnati Subway is a set of unused tunnels and stations for a subway system beneath the streets of Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati built part of a citywide rapid transit system, until funds ran out in 1925. The design was very similar to Boston's Cambridge-Dorchester Tunnel (Red Line).

Originally the Miami and Erie Canal went through downtown Cincinnati. After it fell into disuse it provided an unobstructed route for a rapid transit system. The old canal bed formed a perfect trench in which to build a subway system, which only needed to be covered. A similar construction can be found at the Newark City Subway using the former bed of the Morris Canal.

Construction began in January 1920 and ended in 1927, when the six million dollars allocated to the project ran out. Seven miles of subway had been dug or graded, but no track had been laid. In 1928, the new boulevard Central Parkway was built on top of the subway.

However, the uncompleted subway tunnels and three built stations remain beneath the road, ready to be used if ever the citizens of Cincinnati desire. As of 2005 this seems unlikely, as a proposed tax levy to fund a rapid transit system failed by a nearly 2-1 vote in 2002.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reported in early 2006 that the city is searching for a consulting firm to evaluate the value of the subway tunnels. The city is looking to find out the feasibility of using the tunnels in a modern rapid transit system. It also wishes to find out if there is any liability for the city created by the tunnels, considering that a local traffic artery, Central Parkway, rests on top of the tunnels, now over eighty years old.