Ohio: Western Hills Viaduct Replacement

A Bridge to Opportunity   

Challenge: When you need nets beneath a bridge’s upper deck to catch loose, falling concrete, you know it’s time for an upgrade. That’s the situation with Cincinnati’s 91-year-old Western Hills Viaduct. Built during the Great Depression, the double decker opened to traffic in 1932. An interchange connecting it to Interstate 75 was added in 1961. Today, Western Hills Viaduct carries 55,000 vehicles daily over a large, active rail yard. But most importantly, it connects Cincinnati’s west side to the uptown district, home to businesses, universities, and hospitals. The city conducts regular maintenance and imposes weight limits to keep the viaduct safe for travel.  

Solution: With help from the federal infrastructure investment law, officials are moving forward with a plan to build a new, single deck bridge with eight lanes; a protected multi-use bike path on the south side; and a sidewalk on the north side. The project also includes a new interchange with I-75. When finished, the new bridge will better connect historically marginalized communities with businesses, schools, and economic opportunity. For those who depend on this crossing, a stronger bridge and a stronger community are just ahead.   

What they’re saying: “This project is going to change the face of our city for a generation,” says Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval. “Reconnecting our neighborhoods to the jobs and everyday destinations they depend on is essential to our growth as a city that works for everyone.” (Spectrum News 1, 09/09/2022)