CINCINNATI – The bottom deck of the Western Hills Viaduct will be closed to through traffic from 8:00 p.m. Friday, June 4, until 6:00 a.m. Saturday, June 5, to allow crews to complete the installation of netting above the intersection with Spring Grove Avenue.

The overnight closure will prohibit access to the lower deck from the Harrison Avenue exit on the west end and Spring Grove on the east end.

The top deck of the viaduct will remain open to both eastbound and westbound motorists. The ramp at exit 2B from southbound Interstate 75 to the viaduct also will remain open.

Detour signage will be posted on site to help guide motorists.

 Crews began installing the nets in early May.

Nets are being added as a safety precaution. Maintenance crews regularly remove loose concrete by chipping it off the upper deck to prevent it from falling to the lower deck. The nets will catch loose concrete that might fall to the lower deck in between regular chipping and inspections.

 The deteriorating, 89-year-old viaduct is reaching the end of its useful life. Officials with the city and Hamilton County are leading a joint effort to replace it. The viaduct remains safe for travel but the city is increasing maintenance efforts, with the installation of the netting this year and the addition of weight limits for certain types of three-axel trucks last year.

Please note: Weight limits apply to heavily loaded, single-unit trucks, not two-axle vehicles that include most buses or multi-unit trucks such as semi tractor-trailers.  

 Site preparation for a new bridge is expected to begin this summer or fall. The existing viaduct will remain in place until its replacement is completed in 2028.

 Read more about the existing viaduct and its replacement.