March 24, 2015
MEDIA CONTACT: Ursula Miller, ursula.miller@cincinnati-oh.gov, or 513-352-3417
CINCINNATI – Main Street will be reduced to one through lane of traffic at Fifth Street from 9:00 a.m. Friday, March 27, through Friday, April 3, so crews can perform storm-sewer work related to the Cincinnati Streetcar.
This work also will require the closure of Metro’s Government Square bus stops along Fifth Street between Walnut and Main. Bus patrons should visit www.go-metro.com for details on detours and temporary boarding areas in place through mid next week.
Arrow boards and instructional signage will help direct motorists around the site.
Other streetcar work
The westbound side of East Court Street between Walnut and Main streets will be closed this weekend from 6:00 p.m. Friday, March 27, until 6:00 a.m. Monday, March 30, so crews may install electrical conduit for the streetcar power supply.
Motorists on Court Street should detour north on Main Street, west on Central Parkway and south on Walnut. Detour signs will be posted.
In addition, crews will install track or pavement in several spots on 12th Street next week through mid April. Details follow.
- Main Street at 12th: Crews will install special track at this intersection beginning Monday, March 30, through Monday, April 13. The work will require the daytime closure of 12th Street for the first week and a 24-hour closure Tuesday, April 7 – Monday, April 13.
Note: Work will be suspended Monday, April 6, to accommodate the Findlay Market Opening Day Parade honoring the first game of the season for the Cincinnati Reds.
“It’s more labor intensive to install curved track compared to straight track,” said John Deatrick, project executive. “Crews use a special machine to bend the rail on site. The whole process takes a couple weeks.”
One lane on Main Street will be maintained during the closures.
Motorists traveling westbound on 12th should detour north at Main Street to 13th to Walnut. Motorists heading east, should detour south at Walnut to Central Parkway to Main Street.
Detour signage will be posted.
- 12th Street from Clay to Main: This stretch of 12th will be closed 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily from Monday, March 30, through Friday, April 10, so crews can prepare for and install track.
Detour signs will be posted.
- 12th Street from Elm to Race: Farther west, this stretch of 12th Street between Washington Park and the School for Creative and Performing Arts, will be closed Monday, March 30, through Friday, April 3, so crews may put down new pavement. To minimize disruption, the closure is taking place during SCPA’s Spring Break. Track was installed in this area, known as the diamond, last summer prior to students starting this school year.
Meanwhile, crews continue to install special track on Walnut where it curves onto Second Street through this weekend. This work at The Banks, the southern-most point of the streetcar’s 3.8-mile route, has required the closure of Second Street between Rosa Parks (Vine) Street and Walnut, and Walnut between Second and Freedom Way. All lanes are expected to reopen by 6:00 a.m. Monday, March 30.
Work at General Electric’s U.S. Global Operations Center and apartments at The Banks on Second Street between Rosa Parks and Walnut has continued during the streetcar’s track installation. Check The Banks’ website at www.thebankspublicpartnership.com for updates on concrete pours and related detours.