(9-6-26) The Ohio Department of Transportation plans to close I-75 in both directions from late Friday, Sept. 25, through early Monday, Sept. 28, weather permitting.

The closure is necessary as crews install nine steel girders for the new Linn Street bridge over I-75. Cranes will need to be positioned on the interstate to move the beams and set them on newly constructed bridge piers.

Northbound I-75 will fully close at the U.S. 50 West exit, Exit 1D, beginning at 11 p.m. Sept. 25. Entrance ramps from Fort Washington Way and Fourth and Sixth streets will begin closing at 9 p.m. The interstate is scheduled to reopen by 5 a.m. Sept. 28.

Southbound I-75 will fully close at the Freeman Avenue exit, Exit 1F, beginning at 11 p.m. Sept. 25. The entrance ramp from the Western Hills Viaduct will close beginning at 9 p.m., with lane closures starting near the Norwood Lateral before the full shutdown. Southbound lanes are also scheduled to reopen by 5 a.m. Sept. 28.

Drivers traveling north through the region are encouraged to use I-71 North from the I-71/I-75 split and then take westbound State Route 562, the Norwood Lateral, to avoid the closure. Southbound drivers can use the Norwood Lateral east to I-71 South before reconnecting with I-75 at the Brent Spence Bridge.

ODOT recommends that through traffic, particularly heavy trucks not headed downtown, use the I-275 outerbelt.

The work is part of the $46.7 million Linn Street Reconstruction Project, which is included in the broader Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project. The new Linn Street bridge will include two driving lanes, bike lanes and sidewalks on both sides. Linn Street is expected to reopen to traffic in fall 2027, with the entire project scheduled for completion in spring 2029.

Friday-Monday, September 25-28:

Northbound I-75

  • Closure of the entrance ramps from Fort Washington Way, 4th, and 6th streets beginning at 9 p.m. Friday, September 25.
  • Single-lane closure beginning at approximately 9 p.m. across the Brent Spence Bridge and continuing north, followed by double and triple-lane closures prior to the full closure.
  • Full closure of I-75 North at the U.S. 50 West exit (Exit 1D) exit ramp, beginning at 11 p.m.
  • The closure will remain in place until 5 a.m. Monday, September 28.

Southbound I-75

  • Closure of the entrance ramp from the Western Hills Viaduct to I-75 South beginning at 9 p.m. Friday, September 25.
  • Single-lane closure beginning at approximately 9 p.m. Friday near S.R. 562/Norwood Lateral and continuing south, followed by double and triple-lane closures prior to the full closure.
  • Full closure of I-75 South at the Freeman Avenue (Exit 1F) exit ramp beginning at 11 p.m. 
  • The closure will remain in place until 5 a.m. Monday, September 28.

Downtown Bound & Getting Around

Although I-75 will be closed in both directions, motorists will have several alternatives to access the interstate and downtown Cincinnati. 

For those traveling north, drivers will be able to access W. 5th Street, Exit 1C, and the U.S. 50 West/River Road exit, Exit 1D, and they can re-enter the interstate at the Freeman Avenue entrance ramp.

Northbound thru-traffic motorists are also encouraged to follow the signed detour at the I-71/I-75 split, using I-71 North and westbound S.R. 562/Norwood Lateral to help mitigate congestion and avoid additional delays.

For those in traveling in downtown, access to I-75 North from W. 6th Street will be by way of Linn Street, W. 8th Street, and Freeman Avenue. From W. 4th Street, motorists can follow Central Avenue to W. 6th Street, Linn Street, W. 8th and Freeman.

Southbound I-75 motorists can use the exit at Freeman Avenue and follow this to W. Sixth Street to re-enter the interstate, or motorists may detour by way of eastbound S.R. 562/Norwood Lateral and I-71 South to connect with I-75 at the Brent Spence Bridge.

Of course, for those who are not downtown bound, specifically heavy truck traffic, they can opt to go around and use the I-275 outerbelt.