In May, Cincinnati City Council announced its intent to appropriate 75 parcels – or nearly five acres – of property for the , and on August 7 they made it official.

Council's emergency ordinance allows the City to begin acquiring property and temporary easements for the $11.3 million project, which will smooth the S-curve and improve sight lines between McMicken and Dixmyth avenues and will add additional center-turn capability. Other improvements will include wider lanes, a bicycle side path, new pedestrian islands at Clifton Avenue, and upgraded traffic signals.

The project is scheduled to begin in 2015.

$5 million of the project cost will be used for right-of-way acquisition.

Eighty percent of the project's funding is provided through Federal Highway Administration Surface Transportation Program funds, administered by the --> --> --> and disbursed by the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments. The 20 percent local match will be provided from City capital funds.

The recommended alternative was chosen in early 2011 as a solution to safety and capacity issues along the roadway . Between 2008 and 2010, more than 330 crashes were reported along the corridor.

Previous reading on BC:
City will appropriate nearly 5 acres for W MLK project (6/3/13)
City to apply for grant for one of two bike lane projects (3/3/13)
Preferred alternative unveiled for W MLK road project (2/7/11)
Cincinnati to enter LPA with ODOT on MLK project (11/19/09)
Cincinnati taking action on roadway improvements (11/3/09)