ODOT to southbound drivers: Not going Downtown? Go around I-275 amid Big Mac Bridge repair

In an effort to relieve Downtown traffic congestion, state transportation officials are asking some motorists to divert to Interstate 275 during the ongoing partial closure of the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge.

According to an Ohio Department of Transportation press release issued Monday, all through-traffic motorists who are not planning stops within the I-275 outer belt are encouraged to use I-275 eastbound and drive around the loop. That would mean the Ohio drivers traveling south on Interstate 71 or Interstate 75 toward I-275 should divert onto those eastbound lanes.

More: Who’s in charge of Ohio River bridges? How often are they inspected?

In other words, if you’re not going toward Downtown, go around.

ODOT will display electronic messaging on the southbound interstate signs as they approach I-275 notifying drivers they should divert to those eastbound lanes.

The objective is to reduce interstate traffic congestion within the I-275 belt during the closure of southbound Interstate 471 on the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge due to a fire Nov. 1. Four people have been indicted in connection with the fire.

‘All I saw was smoke.’ Truck driver rang 911 for bridge fire, now he’s on deck to testify

And during a holiday week, traffic is only expected to get heavier.

The state’s announcement comes a week after members of Cincinnati City Council weighed in on the traffic gridlock issue. Councilmen Seth Walsh and Evan Nolan introduced a motion to work with city police and engineering departments, state agencies, and surrounding jurisdictions on both sides of the Ohio River to identify temporary measures to mitigate the traffic delays posed by the southbound Beard Bridge closure.

An amendment proposed by Councilman Mark Jeffreys called for diverting I-71 and I-75 southbound to eastbound I-275. That provision was included in the final motion approved during a full council vote Wednesday.

When reached by The Enquirer Monday evening, Jeffreys had not yet heard ODOT had made the same suggestion. He said he appreciated the department acting quickly to encourage drivers to reroute as holiday travel gears up.

However, even if signs tell drivers to reroute onto I-275, it doesn’t mean they actually have to. But any amount of traffic diverted should help the gridlock, the councilman said.

“Even if we divert 25% or 50% of traffic, then that is successful because we want to get as much of that congestion out of the bottleneck as we get closer to the river,” Jeffreys said.

What else to know as southbound I-471 remains closed over Ohio River

ODOT: All access points to I-471 south in Ohio are closed, including the following restrictions in downtown Cincinnati:

• Liberty Street access to I-471 is closed.

• Fifth Street access to I-471 is closed.

• U.S. 50 access to I-471 is closed.

Southbound I-471 traffic within the I-275 belt is being detoured by way of I-71 and I-75 south and the Brent Spence Bridge.

Cincinnati: City official have taken some steps to alleviate the traffic issues. According to a press release:

• Signal timing adjustments have been made at traffic lights at the Taylor Southgate Bridge, Second Street, Hopple Street at I-75 ramp, Liberty Street and Reading Road intersection, Columbia Parkway, and Bains Street and Riverside Drive intersection.

• Modifications to the Broadway, Pete Rose Way and Second Street intersection were completed last week to allow a dual left from Second Street to Pete Rose Way.

• The northbound lane on Broadway at Mehring Way was closed to allow improved traffic flow on Second Street.

Cincinnati police will step in when heavy traffic is expected in the Downtown areas, particularly when events are scheduled. High priority will be taken for events like Bengals games and concerts at Heritage Arena, where large crowds and heavy traffic require a police presence and additional traffic control measures.

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Construction on the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge has been postponed to allow better traffic flow for vehicles on Third Street and Central Avenue traveling toward that bridge.

Several signal timing adjustments have been made in both Covington and Newport to help traffic flow:

• Covington: Third and Scott streets, Fourth and Scott streets, Fifth and Scott streets, Fifth and Greenup streets, Fifth and Garrard streets, and Fourth and Garrard streets.

• Newport: Third and Monmouth streets, Third and Saratoga streets, Third Street and Washington Avenue, Dave Cowens Drive and Washington Avenue, and Dave Cowens Drive and Park Avenue.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: ODOT wants drivers to reroute onto I-275 to relieve traffic congestion

EMEA Tribune is not involved in this news article, it is taken from our partners and or from the News Agencies. Copyright and Credit go to the News Agencies, email news@emeatribune.com Follow our WhatsApp verified Channel