CINCINNATI — Part of I-75 North has reopened early after crews demolished the Linn Street Bridge ahead of building its replacement.
The Ohio Department of Transportation announced Sunday morning that crews reopened the interstate nearly 24 hours in advance of the planned schedule. Closures were slated through 5 a.m. Monday.
The $46.7 million project will not only replace the bridge, but also reconstruct it. The new bridge will have two 10-foot driving lanes, as well as bike lanes and sidewalks on each side.
While I-75 North experienced closures this weekend, part of I-75 South will be closed next weekend.
"It's a major overhaul of Linn Street," Kathleen Fuller with the Ohio Department of Transportation's District 8 office said.
The project has kept the bridge closed since April 1, impacting Linn Street between West 8th Street and West Court Street.
Watch: Everything you need to know about the project and closures
The closure began at Exit 1D to US-50 and ended at the Freeman Avenue entrance ramp.
"There's really no other way to do it safely for the motorists, the crews and everyone," Fuller said. "There's really no way to take down an entire structure over an interstate without closing the interstate."
Anyone traveling northbound on I-75 to get to downtown Cincinnati on Saturday likely had to drive through local roads to get to their destination. Those going farther north on I-75 were detoured via I-71 and the Norwood Lateral.
“We know we’re going to have a lot of impacts to motorists on the local streets, on the interstate as well," Fuller said. "Of course, we just ask for everyone’s patience and be kind to one another when you’re out there traveling."
This weekend won't be the end of things. Southbound lanes of I-75 will also be closed next weekend. Those closures will be from Exit 1F on Freeman Avenue to the Eighth and Ninth Street Viaduct entrance.
Then, ODOT says the Linn Street Bridge will be closed to traffic until November 2027.
