CINCINNATI – The City of Cincinnati’s Department of Transportation & Engineering (DOTE) is starting an extensive street rehabilitation and safety improvement project on Liberty Street between Reading Road in Pendleton and Dalton Avenue in Queensgate on Monday, April 6.

“This project will improve safety and mobility for pedestrians and motorists by adding a variety of traffic-calming measures along a major downtown thoroughfare,” said John Brazina, director, DOTE. “The changes will also enhance the appearance of Liberty Street and the quality of life for residents and businesses in Over-the-Rhine, Pendleton, Mt. Auburn, the West End and Queensgate.”

Crews will start with pavement repairs at the intersection of Reading Road and move westward on Liberty along the full distance of nearly two miles. The rehab phase will include asphalt resurfacing and curbs repairs on both sides of the street.

The safety phase of the project will focus on the business district between Sycamore Street and Central Parkway. It includes:

• Narrowing the roadway to six lanes
• The addition of pedestrian refuge islands
• The addition of bump-outs on all four corners at major intersections – Sycamore, Main, Walnut, Vine, Race and Elm Streets and Central Parkway
• Enhanced crosswalks
• Traffic signal upgrades
• New curbs and sidewalks on both the north and south sides of the street

In addition, crews will realign the intersection at Liberty Hill to remove the existing slip lane and add a traffic light. Liberty Hill will also be repaved.

On-street parking will remain in place in most areas with varying restrictions depending on the location.

Please see the attached map below, which shows the location of the project and its major traffic-calming improvements.

The $7.4 million project is expected to take until late January 2021 to complete. Prus Construction is the general contractor.

Access During Construction
Lane closures will vary as construction progresses. Crews generally will work 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Motorists should expect short-term lane closures while crews are excavating and making pavement repairs this month. All lanes will be reopened once crews finish for the day.

Motorists generally will be allowed access via one or more lanes in both directions throughout the project.

On-street parking will be prohibited in work zones. Vehicles parked illegally in a work zone may be towed.

Pedestrian access will be allowed at all times, though detours may be put in place depending on the type of improvement being constructed.

Detours signs will be posted to help guide pedestrians. Motorists should watch for stopped traffic and travel slowly through work zones.

Updates about the project will be posted on Twitter @RoadmapCincy.