The actual connection of downtown with the Ohio River will start Monday morning.

        The section of Elm Street connecting Second Street to Mehring Way is scheduled to open between 9 a.m. and noon, allowing drivers direct access from the river and recently built parking lots.

        “This is the beginning of our master plan that started in 1996 to (eliminate) the total stop of the city at the flood wall,” said Cincinnati city architect Bob Richardson.

        The street will be two-way until Second Street, where it becomes one-way north. Because it curves around Paul Brown Stadium, the stretch was part of the $458 million Hamilton County paid for the new football facility.

        The city's street grid project, which did not include Elm Street around the stadium, is budgeted for $46 million, and will eventually connect four other streets with the riverfront — Race, Vine, Walnut and Main. It is not expected to be finished until after the Great American Ball Park and National Underground Railroad Freedom Center are completed over the next four years.

        Central Avenue and Eggleston Avenue previously were the only two major arteries to the riverfront, apart from the ramp from Second Street to Pete Rose Way that was part of the $328 million Fort Washington Way reconfiguration.
       The stretch of Theodore M. Berry between Race and the new stretch of Elm also should open within 4-6 weeks, said city street grid project supervisor Mark McKillip said. That should ease access to and from the Roebling Suspension Bridge.

Fungus halts UC heart transplants
Three men die in Corryville fire
Pressure on child support
Probation chief understands the pressure
Car fire victim returns home
Elm St. to open from riverfront
Neighbors to vote on erecting gates
UC deficit could force 200 job cuts
Woman admits smuggled-pot plot
HOWARD: Neighborhoods
MCNUTT: Hamilton
350-plus bridges rated poor
Dayton schools asking judge to lift busing order
Falmouth mayor faces probe
Former teacher accused of sex with high school senior
Helicopters now used in Ky. logging
Kids could return Tuesday
Ky. House passes bill aimed at trash cleanup
Lawsuit charges profiling
Lebanon sues former director to try to reclaim buyout cash
Levy request looms for Kings
Political foe's apology averts slander case
Prosecutors say inmate tried to hire 'hit man' to kill witness
Why drive to courthouse?
Kentucky News Briefs
Tristate A.M. Report