On Tuesday, Dec. 17, KYTC implemented weight limits for emergency vehicles and temporary lane restrictions on the I-275 Carroll Cropper Memorial Bridge. While the bridge remains safe for passenger vehicles, a recent inspection found deterioration in some of its steel.

New Emergency Vehicle Weight Limits:

• Single Axle: 16 tons
• Tandem Axle: 23 tons
• Gross Weight: 31 tons
  

The weight reduction will not impact commercial vehicle traffic due to semi-trucks having more axles to distribute the weight.

Overweight Over-Dimensional vehicles are not permitted on the bridge at this time due to current lane restrictions.

KYTC bridge engineering analysis shows the reduced weight limit and lane restrictions are needed as a precaution, and to prevent further damage until the structure can be repaired. The repairs will be added to a previously scheduled steel repair project that is already under contract and is expected to begin in January 2025.

CURRENT TRAFFIC IMPACTS:

A traffic shift has been implemented on the eastbound side of the I-275 Carroll Cropper Memorial Bridge over the Ohio River in Boone County.

A temporary speed limit reduction of 55 MPH is currently in place. A queue warning system has also been installed on both sides of the river to warn motorists of any stopped or slowed traffic on/near the bridge.

Here's what you need to know:

Eastbound Traffic Shift (drivers heading from Indiana to Kentucky):

• Drivers on I-275 eastbound will start in the left lane at the Indiana approach and then shift to the right lane.
• This change provides a safeguard to allow contractors to repair an expansion joint — a key bridge component that allows for thermal expansion/contraction due to changes in weather to prevent concrete from cracking.
• Concrete barriers were installed on Thursday, Dec. 18, to protect workers on I-275 eastbound while these repairs are being made.

Westbound Traffic (drivers heading from Kentucky to Indiana):

• A single right lane closure is in place on I-275 westbound. This lane closure begins at the top of the hill, and spans the length of the Carroll Cropper Memorial Bridge.

What's Next?

• The current traffic setup will remain in place until the expansion joint repair is finished. At that point, a temporary single lane closure will return for a portion of the eastbound bridge.

Looking Ahead:

• Floor beam repairs will also be scheduled before the steel repair project begins. Once these repairs are made, current weight restrictions for emergency vehicles will be lifted.
• Lane closures in both directions will continue until the full-scale steel repair project kicks off in January 2025.

KYTC will share more details, including schedules and traffic impacts for floor beam work and the full-scale steel repair project, in the coming weeks.

• Hopeful Church Road (KY 842) – 2.8 – 5.0 mile points – A gas main installation project is in progress on KY 842 from KY 18 (Burlington Pike) to U.S. 42. Duke Energy will be on-site, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Most work will take place along the sidewalk: sections will be closed as construction shifts to different sections of KY 842. The sidewalks will be temporarily restored as crews complete each section and new sidewalks will be poured once construction is complete.

  Occasional lane shifts/closures as needed during construction. When lane closures are in place, flaggers will be on-site to direct motorists around the work zone.

  This project aims to increase reliability of the natural gas system in the area by installing approximately three miles of natural gas main along KY 842. Gas service will not be interrupted during construction.

  This project has a completion date of June 2025.
  
  

• Donaldson Highway (KY 236) 0.0 – 1.6 mile points – A widening and safety improvement project on KY 236 (Donaldson Highway) between KY 842 (Houston Road) and KY 3076 (Mineola Pike) is in progress. The project will widen the 2-mile stretch of road to five lanes with curb and gutter, including two through-lanes in each direction with a center turn lane. A sidewalk and multiuse path also will be added.
  
  A traffic switch took place on Donaldson Highway from Turfway Road to Houston Road on Wednesday, Dec. 4. Traffic was shifted to the newly paved southern portion of the road. This configuration will remain in place until Summer 2025.
  
  Additionally, a traffic switch on Donaldson Highway from Mineola Pike to Turfway Road occurred on Saturday, Oct. 5. Traffic is now utilizing the newly paved northern portion of the road. This configuration will remain in place until June 2025.
  
  The project has an overall completion date of September 2025.
  
  
• Mineola Pike (KY 3076) 0.0 – 0.9 mile points – A widening and improvement project on Mineola Pike is now substantially complete.
  
  Crews will continue to work on punch list items/corrective work as needed over the coming weeks. Be aware when traveling through the area and watch for crews performing these final tasks.
  

​​CARROLL COUNTY​

KENTON COUNTY

• Access to Royal Drive at Buttermilk Pike (KY 371) – 2.65 mile point – Beginning Friday, Dec. 13, access to Royal Drive at Buttermilk Pike will be closed to motorists until further notice for infrastructure construction and repair.

  A portion of Royal Drive will be restricted to construction traffic only, and detour signs will be posted to guide motorists. Local traffic should plan to use alternate routes.

  For further information about this project, please contact the City of Fort Mitchell.
  ​
  

• Bristow Road (KY 1303) – 0.0 – 0.92 mile point – A widening and safety improvement project on Bristow Road will begin on Monday, Sept. 16. Crews will be working on Bristow Road from the KY 536/KY 1303 intersection to the Beechgrove Elementary School.

  The project includes the following improvements:
  -Widening throughout the project area from two lanes of vehicular traffic, to four lanes to reduce congestion and improve traffic efficiency
  -A multi-use path will be built on both sides of Bristow Road to improve bicycle/pedestrian connectivity
  -Curb/gutter improvements along with storm sewer and drainage work. This work will greatly improve drainage in an area that has been prone to flooding

  Additionally, the project will eventually tie into a new roundabout at the KY 536 and KY 1303 intersection improving traffic flow, reducing congestion and increasing safety.

  Clearing operations are currently in progress. This work may involve several traffic impacts for equipment moving in and out of the work zone. The project will require traffic switches, and other new traffic patterns. Prior to these occurring, KYTC will send out an updated press release, as well as a post on social media to inform the public. Message boards will also be in place to warn motorists of any upcoming traffic pattern changes.

  The project is expected to be completed Fall 2025. Learn more about this project here.
  
  For more information on this project, visit our KY 536 website here​.
  
  

• Dixie Highway/Pike Street (U.S. 25) – 12.0 – 12.29 mile point – Beginning Monday, Sept. 16, crews will be working on U.S. 25 from west of Grays Peak to south of W. 12th Street in Covington. The work includes stabilizing the hillside around a bend on Dixie Highway/Pike Street.

  Expect a northbound single right lane closure near this area. This lane closure will be in place 24/7 for the entirety of the project. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed Friday, Nov. 29. 
  ​
  

• Madison Pike/E. 20th Street (KY 17) – 20.45 – 22.31 mile points –  A resurfacing project on Madison Pike/E. 20th Street will resume in Spring 2025. Crews will resurface Madison Pike/E. 20th Street from Latonia Avenue to Greenup Street. The project includes the resurfacing of E. 20th Street from Madison Pike to Greenup Street.

  Due to the extent of utility work, milling and paving operations will now take place in Spring 2025. We will provide an updated timeline once this work is scheduled.​​
  
  

• Fourth Street/Fifth Street/Highway Avenue (KY 8) –​ A resurfacing project on KY 8 will resume in Spring 2025.
  The following portions of KY 8 will be resur​fac​​ed:
  

  • Highway Avenue from Spring Street (mile point 6.14) to Western Avenue (mile point 6.23), a distance of 0.09 miles.
  • Fifth Street from the exit off-ramp of I-71/75 northbound (mile point 6.68) to the Licking River Bridge (mile point 7.6), a distance of 0.92 miles. 
  • Fourth Street from west of Garrard Street (mile point 7.41) to Philadelphia Street (mile point 6.66), a distance of 0.75 miles. ​
    

  
  As part of the resurfacing project, a roadway reconfiguration will take place on a half-mile stretch of W. Fourth Street from Garrard Street (mile point 7.41) to Johnson Street (mile point 6.89).​ The current right lane on W. Fourth Street through this area will become a dedicated bicycle lane. The five-foot wide bicycle lane will feature a three-foot buffer from the curb, and two-foot buffer from vehicular traffic. This bicycle lane will be one-way with bicyclists traveling westbound on W. Fourth Street.​​
  
  Milling/paving operations on Fifth Street concluded on Thursday, Sept. 12​.
  
  Fourth Street milling/paving operations and roadway reconfiguration will now take place in Spring 2025. We will provide an additional update once the work is scheduled.
  
  

• Clay Wade Bailey Bridge (U.S. 25, U.S. 42, U.S. 127) – 13.45 – 13.87 mile points – Routine bridge repairs on the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge will resume in Spring 2025. The project consists of replacing joints, sealing joints, repairing steel and approach/truss drainage repairs.
  
  
  Due to the I-471 Daniel Carter Beard Bridge Fire, the rest of the repair work for the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge will be postponed until Spring 2025. On Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 8 a.m., the lane closure associated with this work was removed. Opening up all lanes on the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge will provide better access to/from Covington and Cincinnati. For the most up-to-date information on the I-471 ODOT Emergency Repair Project click here.
  ​​
  

• Mt. Zion Road/Bristow Road (KY 536) –​ 0.96 –​ 2.5 mile points –​ ​a widening and safety improvement project on KY 536 will begin on Monday, April 22. Crews will be working on KY 536 from west of the KY 1303 intersection, to west of Williamswoods Drive.
  
  The project includes the following improvements:
  ​-Widening throughout the project area from two lanes of vehicular traffic, to four lanes, to reduce congestion and improve traffic efficiency
  -A multi-use path will be built on both sides of KY 536 to improve bicycle/pedestrian connectivity
  -Curb/gutter improvements along with storm sewer and drainage work
  
  Additionally, two roundabouts will be built to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion and increase safety. These roundabouts will be located at the following intersections:
  -KY 536 and KY 1303
  -KY 536 and Hogrefe Road
  
  Crews will begin clearing the project area on Monday, April 22. This work may involve several traffic impacts for equipment moving in and out of the work zone.
  
  A traffic switch took place on Tuesday, Nov. 26. Crews switched traffic between Hogrefe Road and Banklick Road. Traffic was shifted to the south half of the bridge. This configuration will be in place through Spring 2025. ​
  
  The project will require traffic switches, and other new traffic patterns. Prior to these occurring, KYTC will send out an updated press release, as well as a post on social media to inform the public. Message boards will also be in place to warn motorists of any upcoming traffic pattern changes.
  
  The project is expected to be completed Spring 2027. Learn more about this project here.
  ​​

• Amsterdam Road (KY 371) – 5.6 – 6.3 mile points – A gas line project is in progress. Utility crews will be working on Amsterdam Road between Deerfield Drive and Dry Creek Road. Duke Energy crews will be working between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. During working hours, a single lane closure will be in place, and flaggers will be used to guide traffic. The project is expected to be completed by late Spring 2025.​​