An upcoming Cincinnati interstate project is expected to have a major impact to road travel on both sides of the river.
The $30 million Lytle Tunnel Project is scheduled to begin May 26 and is not expected to be completed until late 2017. The project will bring the tunnel and its mechanical systems into compliance with current fire codes and design standards.
Lytle Tunnel is located on Interstate 71, just east of downtown Cincinnati.
Lytle Park and portions of Lytle Street will be closed during construction. Traffic on Pike and Fourth streets will be maintained, however, parking will be impacted adjacent to the work site.
Gary Middleton, Acting Deputy Director for the Ohio Department of Transportation District 8 office, thanked motorists in advance for their cooperation and understanding.
“This essential project completes a major rehabilitation of the tunnel and its mechanical and electrical systems,” Middleton said in a statement. “It improves safety for drivers and first responders, and ensures future maintenance activities minimize impacts to traveling public and users of the park.”
The detailed road closure schedule is expected to be determined by mid-June. Road closures will be scheduled to avoid – as much as possible – major downtown events such as the 2015 Major League Baseball All Star Game, Riverfest, Oktoberfest, Heart Mini Marathon and the Flying Pig.
Traffic impacts will include closures of the following routes:
• southbound Interstate 71—for one weekend (Friday night to Monday morning);
• southbound I-71 ramp to Third Street—for one weekend (Friday night to Monday morning) and a second time for 20 consecutive calendar days; and
• Second Street ramp to northbound I-71—for 60 consecutive calendar days.
Suggested detours are as follows:
• Southbound I-71 ramp to Third Street detour: traffic detoured to the Gilbert Avenue/Reading Road (exit) to Gilbert Avenue to East Eighth Street to Sycamore Street to East Third Street.
• Northbound I-71 via Second Street ramp detour: traffic detoured to Main Street to East Fifth Street to northbound I-71.
The project will include:
• The installation of additional ITS cameras and a fire detection system that will allow for more efficient and safer response to incidents within the tunnel,
• upgrades to the tunnel lighting
• repairs to the tunnel concrete and tiling
• extensive upgrades to the tunnel mechanical systems and ventilation
• installation of a new power supply, thus replacing the existing underground vaults in the Fourth Street sidewalk
• moving the ventilation grating to a location conducive to future park plans
• installation of new access hatches at several locations within the park limits that will not impact future park plans.
For more information, or to receive regular email updates regarding the Lytle Tunnel project please notify the Ohio Department of Transportation via d08.pio@dot.state.oh.us to have an email address included in the distribution listing. Those without computer access or who have additional questions regarding the project are asked to contact Brian Cunningham at (513) 933-6517.
Portion of East Alexandria Pike to be closed temporarily
A Campbell County road project will not impact nearly as many motorists, but will inconvenience some Northern Kentucky travelers for a few weeks.
KY 2925 (East Alexandria Pike) will be closed to through traffic from Cabin Creek Drive to Fox Run (.8 to 1.7 mile-marker) for a slide repair project.
The closure will be in place from May 26 through June 5, Monday through Friday from the hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists are encouraged to seek an alternate route during project hours.
Local traffic will have access during the repairs.
Sources: Ohio Department of Transportation, District 8 office, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 6 office.