BY PHILLIP PINA
The Cincinnati Enquirer
What's closed
Ramps from eastbound Fort Washington Way to Vine and Main streets
Alternate routes
I-75 southbound from Ohio: Seventh and Fifth streets; Pete Rose Way
1-75 northbound from Kentucky: New Fifth Street ramp; Pete Rose Way
What's closing
Beginning Saturday, these ramps to eastbound Fort Washington Way will close permanently: Main Street, Race Street, Walnut Street
Alternate routes
For I-71 north: Fifth Street, Reading Road, Gilbert Avenue
For I-471 south: Fifth Street
For Columbia Parkway: Eggleston Avenue br>
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The construction along Fort Washington Way has not only slowed downtown rush hour traffic. Police have noticed a slight jump in minor accidents.
"We have noticed a few more fender benders" since construction crews began a string of ramp closings Monday, said Cincinnati police Lt. Robert Hungler. Exact figures were unavailable.
Fender benders can be expected any time there's a change in traffic patterns, especially for a route as heavily traveled as Fort Washington Way, Lt. Hungler said. But the minor crashes have caused no serious injuries and no major traffic problems, he added.
Fort Washington Way traffic was heavy at times Thursday, backing up during the afternoon rush hour on southbound Interstate 75 entering eastbound Fort Washington Way to about Sixth Street, said Linda Roll, a supervisor for SmartRoute Systems Inc., a traffic monitoring firm. The other problem area was along southbound Interstate 71 before traffic merges onto westbound Fort Washington Way.
The 2-year, $146.9 million construction project is proceeding on schedule, said John Deatrick, the city engineer overseeing the project. Work will begin Saturday morning to close the Main, Race and Walnut streets ramps to eastbound Fort Washington Way.
One of the major reasons for the project was to improve safety by removing the many exits and onramps that sent motorists weaving along Fort Washington Way, Mr. Deatrick said. The slight jump in fender benders is an example of why the highway needs improving, he added.
