The roadway will be restricted to westbound traffic only between Ridge Road and Ibsen Avenue. Ibsen Avenue, which had been closed, will reopen as a detour for eastbound Madison Road traffic.
The closure was expected to begin this morning, but was delayed due to unforeseen utility conflicts at the corner of Ridge Road and Ibsen Avenue. Once the water main work begins, it is expected to last about one month.
Construction of the $30 million Kennedy Connector project gave Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW) the opportunity to install a new 48-inch transmission water main and to replace a smaller, 100-year-old water main. Crews will work seven days a week to expedite the process.
"The benefits of the two new water mains include improved system reliability and increase water capacity," GCWW Supervising Engineer Jason DeLaet said in a prepared release.
When completed in late 2013, the Kennedy Connector project is expected to alleviate traffic on Ridge Road and provide better access from Madison Road to Interstate 71 northbound by:
- Adding a new five-lane Kennedy Avenue between Duck Creek and Madison roads with a center, left-turn only lane. New landscaping, sidewalks, and bicycle infrastructure will be added.
- Realigning Ibsen Avenue between Marburg and Ridge avenues, with Ibsen Avenue continuing eastward to tie into the Kennedy Connector.
- Realigning and improving the intersection at Ibsen Avenue and Ridge Road, Ibsen and Marburg avenues, and Alamo Avenue and Ridge Road.
- Replacing Barrow Avenue as the access point to Interstate 71 southbound with a new City street. Barrow Avenue will end in a cul-de-sac.
Previous reading on BC:
Temporary Duck Creek/Kennedy lanes open Tuesday (6/22/12)
Construction of 'key' Kennedy Connector begins (5/23/12)
Oakley Station residences win LEED tax exemption (4/9/12)
City to accept up to $12M for Kennedy Connector road project (3/28/11)
Cincinnati to apply for federal transportation grants (4/1/10)
