NORTHERN KENTUCKY — The traffic headaches continue for some travelers in Northern Kentucky. Duke Energy will be replacing and upgrading a power line across I-275 during the first three weekends in March. The work will impact southbound and northbound lanes from March 6 through March 21, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each weekend day, weather permitting.
What You Need To Know
- Duke Energy replacing, upgrading a power line across I-275 during first three weekends in March
- Work will impact northbound lanes from March 6 through March 21
- Helicopters will help rebuild a 4-mile section of the transmission line that crosses the major highway and the Ohio River
- Several ramps will be closed during the weekend work windows
The overhead line is being replaced across three states, from the Miami Fort Station in North Bend, Ohio, to Tanners Creek in Lawrenceburg, Ind. The work will impact areas in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana.
Helicopters will help rebuild a 4-mile section of 345-kilovolt (kV) transmission line that crosses the major highway and the Ohio River.
Work over the weekends will result in 45-minute rolling roadblocks where traffic is slowed to 10 miles per hour on both north and south arteries of I-275 in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Since the work is scheduled mostly between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., windows for traffic should return to normal speeds between the 45-minute windows.
Should any work be delayed by events such as weather conditions, the weekend of March 27-28 will be used as a backup period.
The following I-275 ramps will be closed during the weekend work windows:
- Belleview Drive entering I-275 South (Indiana)
- Kilby Road entering I-275 South (Ohio)
- Route 8 (Bullitsburg Church Road) entering I-275 North (Kentucky)
- Highway 212 (Terminal Dr) entering I-275 North (Kentucky)
- Highway 237 (N Bend Rd) entering I-275 North (Kentucky)
For safety reasons, the helicopter work will be conducted during daylight hours.
According to a release from Duke Energy, using helicopters improves safety for the public and construction workers while cutting times and costs. The savings come from shorter work schedules and restoration involving property disturbances.
Duke Energy worked with the Federal Highway Administration, Kentucky Department of Transportation, Ohio Department of Transportation, and Indiana Department of Transportation on the temporary closures and traffic control.
Drivers will see electronic message boards warning travelers of traffic implications before the work begins. Online traffic mapping programs have been notified of the upcoming restrictions.