CINCINNATI — The Ohio Department of Transportation said the Interstate 71 Lytle Tunnel will close during the overnight hours this week and weekend for some maintenance, including cleaning, lighting inspection and other repairs.
Between Wednesday and Thursday, northbound I-71 will be closed at the I-71/75 split from 9 p.m. each night until 5 a.m. the following day. The following restrictions and ramp closures will also be in effect:
- Second Street entrance ramp to I-71 North in Cincinnati will be closed; traffic will be routed by way of the Fifth Street entrance ramp to northbound I-71
- Access to the tunnel from eastbound Fort Washington Way (I-71/U.S. 50) will be prohibited; however, U.S. 50 East will remain open
On Friday and Saturday, April 25 and 26, southbound I-71 will close at Exit 2 and through the tunnel from 9 p.m. each night until 5 a.m. the following day. There will be no access into the I-71 and 3rd street tunnels, ODOT said. The following ramp closures will also be in effect:
- U.S. 42/Eden Park Drive and Eden Park/Dorchester Road entrance ramps will be closed; drivers may follow the Liberty Street entrance ramp to southbound I-471 and follow I-71 detour
- Third Street exit ramp to I-71 South will be closed; drivers will be detoured via Gilbert Avenue/Reading Road to access downtown
I-71 traffic will be detoured to I-75 North to S.R. 126/Ronald Reagan Cross County Highway and I-71 while the tunnel is closed in the northbound direction. When it's closed southbound direction, traffic will be detoured to I-471 and I-275 West to I-71/I-75 or by Ronald Reagan and I-75 South.
There will be boards and signs in place to alert drivers of changes.
