A routine mid-afternoon drive into Cincinnati turned into a standstill Thursday when northbound I-71 was shut down near Stewart Road after a report of shots fired, clogging traffic and flooding the area with emergency vehicles.
Traffic cameras captured long lines of stopped cars and a heavy law enforcement presence as officers sealed off the northbound lanes.
According to WLWT, the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office said deputies were investigating a shots fired call and that the northbound side of I-71 would stay closed "for at least a couple of hours." Police cruisers and an ambulance were seen blocking all northbound lanes at Stewart Road, while deputies pushed drivers off the interstate at Red Bank Road as they worked the scene.
Detours And Commute Impacts
Drivers trying to reach downtown are being funneled onto surface streets and should brace for heavy delays until the interstate reopens. The Ohio Department of Transportation's OHGO map and live camera feeds are providing up-to-the-minute details on closures and alternate routes across the region.
What Authorities Have Released
Hamilton County officials have not released any information about possible injuries, suspects, or arrests as of Thursday afternoon. WLWT reports this remains a developing situation and will be updated as investigators share more.
For now, commuters are urged to build in extra travel time or stick to alternate northbound routes until deputies clear the scene. We will update this story when authorities or transportation officials release new information.
