When bad weather is coming, forecasters often warn: "Don't go out if you don't have to."
With President Donald Trump coming to town and a short, partial closure of Interstate 75, that might be good advice for this weekend in Greater Cincinnati too.
Transportation officials are already sounding the alarm, with multiple social media posts and press releases headlined: "Traffic alert!"
Disruptions are expected, alternative routes are suggested and delays are inevitable, the posts warns.
Here's what you'll encounter.
Southbound Interstate 75 at Freeman will close for 54 hours
If you need to travel south on Interstate 75 this weekend, you'll need a Plan B once you hit Freeman Avenue.
The southbound lanes of the interstate will be closed from Freeman to the West Eighth/Ninth Street entrance ramp from 11 p.m. Oct.
16 through 5 a.m. Oct. 19.
Crews are remaking the Linn Street bridge over I-75, currently installing girders for the rebuilt structure.
The Linn Street bridge, located between West Court and West Eighth streets, came down in April as part of the giant Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project. When rebuilt, it will include two driving lanes (down from five), with bike lanes and sidewalks on either side.When reopened in fall of 2027, the remade bridge should better connect Cincinnati's West End and Queensgate neighborhoods, according to transportation officials.
And, importantly, the Linn Street reconstruction is making room for the new "companion bridge" over the Ohio River, the key element of the $4.4 billion-plus Brent Spence Bridge project. That work officially began May 8, with a groundbreaking event. The original Linn Street span included a pier in the path of work related to the companion bridge.
Norwood Lateral to I-71 is suggested detour
As part of the Linn Street bridge work:
- The I-75 south entrance from the Western Hills Viaduct will close at 9 p.m. Oct. 16.
- I-75 south at the Freeman exit will close at 11 p.m., with access to Freeman maintained. The closure will extend to the West Eighth/Ninth Street ramp. The closed span will reopen by 5 a.m. Oct. 19.
Drivers should take the Norwood Lateral (State Route 562) to Interstate 71 to get around the closure. They can also travel Freeman, Mehring Way, and Elm and Third streets to re-enter I-71/75 south.
If the closure is postponed for weather or other reasons, it will happen Nov. 6-9, according to the project's website.
What about traffic in Northern Kentucky?
Seven miles south of downtown Cincinnati, Trump is scheduled to speak at 2 p.m. at what's billed as a Midterm Rally at the Truist Arena at Northern Kentucky University.
Drivers could see traffic tie-ups in the area -- just south of where Interstates 275 and 471 cross in Highland Heights -- from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., social media posts warned.
"Anticipate significant traffic delays and potential road closures in the areas surrounding Northern Kentucky University," one read. "Traffic disruptions are expected throughout the day."
The most significant interruptions will be between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Local police and the U.S. Secret Service typically employing rolling closures for presidential motorcades. Routes connected to the motorcade will be blocked as well.
For security reasons, exact routes and times won't be announced much in advance.
Officials recommend checking social media and GPS devices when traveling near NKU for real-time updates.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: With Trump visit and I-75 closure, expect traffic disruptions
