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The UrbanCincy Podcast

Episode #4: Cincinnati’s Incomplete Subway

On the fourth episode of The UrbanCincy Podcast, we listen to a talk given by Jake Mecklenborg providing a history of the Cincinnati Subway project and an explanation of why it was cancelled. He also sheds light on a number of urban legends that surround the project, such as false rumors that the tunnels are too small for modern rail vehicles or that parts of the tunnel have collapsed. Finally, he explains how the tunnels could be used for future rail transit plans and even be counted as Cincinnati’s local match toward such a plan.

On the fourth episode of The UrbanCincy Podcast, we listen to a talk given by Jake Mecklenborg at the Society for Industrial Archeology 2012 annual conference, which was held this year in Cincinnati.  Mecklenborg provides a history of the Cincinnati Subway project and an explanation of why it was cancelled.  He also sheds light on a number of urban legends that surround the project, such as false rumors that the tunnels are too small for modern rail vehicles or that parts of the tunnel have collapsed.  Finally, he explains how the tunnels could be used for future rail transit plans and even be counted as Cincinnati’s local match toward such a plan. All of this information and more is available in Mecklenborg’s book, Cincinnati’s Incomplete Subway: The Complete History, published in 2010 by The History Press.

On the following episodes of the podcast, we will bring you two additional talks on Cincinnati landmarks given at the SIA conference.  Next week, we’ll bring you Clifford W. Zink‘s talk, Public Works Should Educate Public Taste: John A. Roebling’s Design of the Cincinnati-Covington Bridge. The following week, we’ll bring you Arthur A. Hupp’s talk, Historic Cincinnati Union Terminal: Restoration and Renovation Master Plan.

View Jake Mecklenborg’s Presentation:

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By Travis Estell

Travis joined UrbanCincy in 2009 as a contributor, and quickly took over technical responsibilities for the site. After growing up in Cincinnati’s east side in Goshen, Travis earned an Electronic Media degree from the University of Cincinnati in 2009. Since then, Travis has been working throughout the United States as a web development consultant. After living in Clifton Heights, Northside, and Over-the-Rhine, Travis now resides in Cincinnati’s Central Business District.