Columbia Parkway - History

History

In 1912 the route that would become US 50 was signed as Main Market 45. In 1923,Main Market route 45 was decommissioned and SR 7 replaced it from Indiana to Cincinnati. SR 27 from Cincinnati to Milford and SR 26 from Milford to Athens. US 50 replaced SR 144 from Athens to Coolville and SR 7 from Coolville to West Virginia state line. At this time the route that later became US 50 was paved between Indiana and Highland–Ross county line. In 1926 US 50 was signed on a route similar to today. The current route that US 50 between Athens and West Virginia became US 50S in 1929, with the current SR 550 becoming US 50N. US 50S and US 50N would be replaced with US 50 and US 50 Alt, in 1935.

The Columbia Parkway in Cincinnati was completed in 1941 and US 50 was rerouted onto the parkway. The road west of Cincinnati became a four-lane divided highway in 1949. In 1965 the Sixth Street Expressway open and US 50 was rerouted onto the expressway. Also in that year the section of US 50 that is concurrency with SR 7 became a four-lane divided highway. US 50 was routed onto the eastern section of the Athens bypass when it open, in 1977. The western section was opened in 1979 and US 50 was route onto that year. US 50 between Athens and Coolville became a four-lane divided highway between 1997 and 1999. Between 2003 and 2007 a new bridge across the Ohio River was built.