Cincinnati’s East End is in for a long construction season along the river. Beginning around July 1, the Metropolitan Sewer District will close the westbound lanes of Riverside Drive between Collins Avenue and 2233 Riverside Drive so crews can install a new outfall and other sewer upgrades. Westbound drivers will be pushed north onto Collins Avenue, while eastbound lanes stay open for local traffic.
Typical work hours are set for 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, with weekends added if crews need the time. MSD and city officials say the full project is expected to continue through the summer of 2027, although the lane closures on Riverside Drive are concentrated this summer. The work follows years of infrastructure trouble along this riverfront stretch that residents and engineers have been keeping a close eye on.
What MSD will build
Today's press release, MSD said its contractor, Sunesis Construction, will construct a junction chamber in Riverside Drive, relocate two combined sewer overflow (CSO) outfalls to the south side of the roadway, build a new 60-inch-diameter CSO outfall pipe to the Ohio River, and install a new access driveway. The statement also sets routine work hours and notes that crews will work weekends if conditions require. MSD lists the project as part of localized repairs intended to improve sewer reliability on the riverfront.
Traffic impacts and detours
The agency’s notice and local reporting say the westbound closure will run from July 1 through October. Westbound motorists will be detoured north via Collins Avenue, while eastbound traffic can still turn onto Collins for local access. WCPO reported that the closure is intended to preserve local access while crews work in the roadway and that signage and detours will be posted. Drivers should expect delays during peak periods and are urged to follow the posted detour routes rather than invent creative shortcuts through the neighborhood.
Why the work matters
Neighbors have not forgotten what happens when this stretch of infrastructure fails. In January 2021, a 60-inch transmission main on Riverside Drive gave way and created a sinkhole large enough to swallow a parked car. A second incident in February reopened the hole and damaged equipment. The Greater Cincinnati Water Works documented both breaks, along with the boil-water advisories and roadway closures that followed. Those dramatic failures left the riverside corridor particularly vulnerable and helped steer recent investment toward sewer and utility upgrades in the area.
Part of a larger wet-weather push
The Riverside Drive work is one of many upgrades MSD lists under its wet-weather and consent-decree program, which aims to reduce combined sewer overflows and protect the Ohio River. According to MSD's program pages, the agency is carrying out an extended schedule of projects across Hamilton County as part of its capital plan. Those coordinated investments often translate into short-term closures and detours in neighborhoods with aging infrastructure.
What residents should expect
MSD has provided a project ID (10240271) and a customer-service contact in its statement for questions about timing and access, and officials warn that weather and field conditions can change schedules. Residents can expect visible work zones, heavy equipment near the riverfront, and temporary detours during the construction season. Neighbors with concerns about property access or potential impacts are encouraged to document any issues and reach out to MSD's customer service for updates.
