Cars will be driving in the opposite direction for a stretch of I-75 starting this weekend

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CINCINNATI (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER) -Closures will occur on Interstate 75 between Paddock Road and the Norwood Lateral this weekend to prepare for longer-term traffic flow changes, the Ohio Department of Transportation said in a release.

The closures are primarily overnight single-lane and double-lane closures. They are necessary to prepare for a long-term contraflow lane, which is a temporary lane in which traffic flows in the opposite direction of surrounding lanes, according to our media partners at the Cincinnati Enquirer.

The contraflow lane will move the left lane of southbound I-75 to the left lane of northbound I-75 and run from the Towne Street overpass through the Ohio 562/Norwood Lateral interchange.

The contraflow lane is scheduled to be in place for roughly 1⅟₂ years, from December 2024 to May 2026, to allow for construction on three nearby railroad bridges.

This weekend’s closures were initially scheduled for the first week of December but were moved due to inclement weather.

Why will a contraflow lane be in place on I-75?

The contraflow lane will be in place as crews complete Phase 8 of the Mill Creek Expressway projects. Phase 8 entails the replacement of three railroad bridges: one located over I-75, one over nearby Prosser Avenue and one over the Norwood Lateral.

Phase 8 also includes a “minor realignment” of I-75 lanes, Fuller said. This realignment is necessary to accommodate a new bridge pier on I-75. Fuller said people likely won’t “really notice” the realignment.

Schedule of this weekend’s closures on I-75

Friday through Sunday, Dec. 13-15:

Single-lane closures on I-75 north and south, between Paddock Road and the Norwood Lateral/Ohio 562 ramp, starting at 8 p.m., followed by double-lane closures beginning at 11 p.m., with all lanes open to traffic by 6 a.m. the following day.
Short-term full closures on I-75 between midnight and 4 a.m. the following day. Traffic will be maintained with law enforcement officers.
The contraflow lane is expected to be open to traffic by 6 a.m. Saturday. Restrictions on Saturday and Sunday will only be in effect if needed.

Monday, Dec. 16:

Single-lane closures on I-75 North and South, between Paddock Road and the Norwood Lateral/Ohio 562 ramp, starting at 8 p.m., followed by double-lane closures beginning at 11 p.m., with all lanes open to traffic by 6 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17.

The exit from I-75 south to the Norwood Lateral will remain open. However, southbound motorists will not be able to exit onto the Norwood Lateral from the contraflow lane.

What are the I-75 Mill Creek Expressway projects?

The I-75 Mill Creek Expressway projects are a series of construction projects to prepare for and, then, widen I-75 to four lanes in Hamilton County and improve various interchange connections.

The current projects are in place to prepare for the widening. For example, Phase 8′s new bridge pier on I-75 will accommodate the future four-lane I-75. While ODOT is contracting this work, the agency decided to replace the railroad bridges, which needed to be replaced anyway, Fuller said.

The Mill Creek Expressway projects have been split into 14 phases. The phases have not been completed in order. The entire project is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2027.

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