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Tri-State commuters brace for Brent Spence Bridge lane closures

Posted at 11:44 PM, Jun 25, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-26 12:27:36-04

CINCINNATI -- Officials have a message for drivers as two lanes of the Brent Spence Bridge close in each direction for routine maintenance.

Now is the time to look for alternate routes, communications official Betty Hull said.

Starting Monday, drivers will see two-lane closures of varying configurations for the duration of the 60-day, three-phase project. Certain entrance and exit ramps will see closures for the duration, as well.

“Tomorrow morning, rush hour, will be tough on some people, but our expectation is that people will check the website and plan drives in advance,” Hull said.

Traffic backups from the Brent Spence can span as far as 8 miles on a normal workday, Hull said, so drivers should plan accordingly.

RELATED: 9 things to know as Brent Spence Bridge construction begins

Local business owners are also feeling the strain from the traffic backups.

Tom Weatherford, general manager of Covington Coffee, said drivers avoiding the bridge could potentially hurt his business.

“If everybody heeded that advice we would certainly lose business,” he said.

But Weatherford is hopeful that residual traffic may actually bring in customers.

“We’re hoping folks will attempt a different route, but the highway will funnel some traffic onto the 12th Street corridor and actually land us some business.”

MORE: What bridge work means for first responders

Like a lot of Greater Cincinnati commuters, Weatherford said he’s going to “suffer through it.”

“We’re trying to stay positive through it,” he said.

For up-to-date information and to plan routes, visit the transportation department website.