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Article Summary
Cincinnati drivers could face an 18-month closure in one direction of Fort Washington Way as the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project enters a major construction phase. The closure could begin as early as spring 2027, although exact dates have not been announced. Additional ramp closures are expected, and project plans indicate that overlapping closures could temporarily shut down all of Fort Washington Way.
Cincinnati drivers should prepare for major Fort Washington Way closures as construction advances on the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project.
Project officials expect work to require an 18-month closure in one direction of Fort Washington Way, potentially beginning in spring 2027.
Exact start and end dates have not yet been announced.
The closure will support work to rebuild major highway connections near downtown Cincinnati as part of the larger Brent Spence Bridge Corridor reconstruction.
Closure could last 18 months
The planned work will rebuild connections between Fort Washington Way and several major routes, including Interstate 71, Interstate 75 and U.S. 50.
According to project information reported by WKRC, one direction of Fort Washington Way could remain closed for about 18 months.
The timing could put the closure among the most significant traffic disruptions Cincinnati drivers have faced during the multiyear Brent Spence project.
Officials have not yet announced the exact date when the closure will begin or when traffic will return to its normal configuration.
Multiple ramps will close during construction
The project will involve more than the long-term directional closure.
Planned work includes closures affecting ramps connecting Fort Washington Way with I-71 northbound, I-75 southbound and U.S. 50 eastbound.
The Fort Washington Way ramp to I-75 northbound is also scheduled to be affected during construction.
Project officials say I-75 itself is expected to remain open throughout the project, although drivers should expect some weekend and overnight closures.
The traffic configuration will change as crews move through different stages of construction.
Full closure could happen
Some of the planned closures could overlap during different construction phases.
Project plans obtained through public-records requests indicate that the overlap could result in a period when all of Fort Washington Way is closed, according to WKRC.
That potential full closure is separate from the planned 18-month closure in one direction.
The timing and duration of any full closure have not been finalized publicly.
Drivers who regularly use Fort Washington Way to reach downtown, Over-the-Rhine, the Central Business District or surrounding interstate connections will need to follow changing detours as work progresses.
What is the Brent Spence project?
The Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project is a major reconstruction effort involving the interstate corridor between Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
The project includes construction of a new companion bridge, reconstruction of portions of I-71 and I-75, and changes to highway connections on both sides of the Ohio River.
The Fort Washington Way work is part of the Ohio-side portion of the project.
Construction will occur in phases, meaning traffic patterns will change throughout the project rather than remaining under one configuration.
Guide for drivers
Drivers should not assume that every closure will happen at the same time.
Construction schedules and traffic patterns will change as individual portions of the project are completed.
The most important details currently available are that a one-direction Fort Washington Way closure is expected to last about 18 months, potentially beginning in spring 2027, while additional ramp and highway closures will occur during other phases.
Officials have not yet released the final dates for the long-term closure.
FAQs
Will I-75 remain open during the project?
I-75 is expected to remain open throughout the project, although some weekend and overnight closures are planned.
How will drivers know about changing detours?
Drivers should monitor project and transportation agency updates because traffic patterns and closures will change as construction progresses.
When will the Brent Spence Bridge project be finished?
The project is a multiyear construction effort with work occurring in phases. Individual traffic changes will take place throughout construction.
