
Friday, May 5, 2017
MEDIA CONTACT: Ursula Miller, ursula.miller@cincinnati-oh.gov, or 513.352.3417
CINCINNATI – The bottom deck of the Western Hills Viaduct will be closed to local traffic this Sunday, May 7, and again the weekends of May 13 and 14, and May 20 and 21, for inspections. The closures will be in effect 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The top deck of the viaduct will remain open at all times.
Motorists who wish to travel eastbound over the viaduct will be detoured via the top deck to Central Parkway, then Marshall Avenue to Spring Grove Avenue.
Motorists on Spring Grove who wish to head westbound on the viaduct also will be detoured over the top deck via Marshall, then Central Parkway.
Westbound traffic exiting Interstate 75 south onto the viaduct will be allowed during the closure dates except for a brief period tentatively scheduled for Saturday, May 20. An update and detour information will be sent prior to the closure.
In addition to lane closures, the Harrison Avenue and Beekman Street ramps will be closed on an alternating basis, as needed. When the Harrison ramp is closed, motorists will be detoured via Beekman to Queen City Avenue and back to Harrison. When the Beekman ramp is closed, motorists will be detoured via Harrison to Tremont Street and back to Beekman.
One or two lanes of State Avenue also will be closed, as needed, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Monday or Tuesday next week so crews may conduct inspections on the west end of the bridge.
Detour signs will be posted to help guide motorists.
Crews will be conducting close-up visual inspections on about 70 structural members, which include various beams, stringers and girders. These so-called “arm’s length” inspections are part of the viaduct’s normal, periodic review and maintenance.
The double-decker structure was built in the early 1930s. It spans more than a half mile over rail yards and the Mill Creek Valley, connecting Westwood, Harrison and Queen City avenues to Spring Grove Avenue, McMillan Avenue, Central Parkway and I-75.