Over the weekend, construction crews gave Cincinnati drivers and Mount Adams neighbors a show, hoisting one of the largest steel sections of the new pedestrian bridge that will connect the hilltop neighborhood to downtown. The operation marked a major milestone in the long-planned effort to replace the aging Court Street steps, complete with heavy cranes, temporary interstate shutdowns, and plenty of spectators watching from above as the huge piece settled in near the Lytle Tunnel. Once finished, the new span is expected to offer a safer, ADA-compliant link between Mount Adams and downtown jobs, transit stops, and restaurants.
Giant Bridge Sections Swing Over I-71 And Lytle Tunnel
Crews installed one of the bridge’s largest sections directly over I-71 and the Lytle Tunnel, with portions of I-71 and I-471 temporarily closed while the massive steel pieces were shifted into place. The new crossing will feature an ADA-compliant stairway to E. Court Street, and crews are aiming to wrap up the project by early fall, according to WKRC.
Overnight Closures Clear The Way For High-Wire Work
To make room for the lifts, officials scheduled overnight lane and ramp closures that kept most of the traffic headaches confined to late-night hours. WLWT reported that the closures during the lift weekend affected I-71 between Reading Road and the Lytle Tunnel and temporarily shut down I-471 ramps. Detours pushed through-traffic onto I-75 and nearby ramps, and residents were warned to expect short, after-hours interruptions while the steel went skyward.
Single Shared-Use Path To Replace 1960s-Era Spans
The Ohio Department of Transportation has opted for a single, shared-use path that will run next to the existing two-bridge system, and it has posted project designs and budget details on its public input page. ODOT lists the work as a standalone bridge replacement project on its online portal, according to ODOT. Local reporting notes that the two older pedestrian spans date to the 1960s, have been rated as deteriorating and no longer meet modern ADA or clearance standards, and that replacing them, rather than repeatedly patching them, was the recommended path forward, as reported by WCPO.
What Drivers And Pedestrians Can Expect Next
Through the summer, crews will keep working on the structure itself, including the bridge deck, approaches, and the new stairway. WLWT reports that officials expect the new crossing to open in the fall, with the existing spans set to be dismantled once the new route is fully up and running. In the meantime, drivers should be ready for occasional overnight lane restrictions as finishing touches go on, and local traffic tools will carry the latest detour routes and timing updates, WLWT notes.
