CINCINNATI – Twelfth Street will be closed periodically between Elm and Race streets beginning Monday, Nov. 6, through mid December to allow crews for Duke Energy Co. to install additional electric service in the southern part of Over-the-Rhine by Washington Park.

New electric conduit will be installed under the track bed of the Cincinnati Bell Connector where the route curves northbound on Elm from 12th. The work will take place during the day and overnight but isn’t expected to affect streetcar service.

Duke is adding capacity to serve OTR following the September opening of the Cincinnati Shakespeare Co. Theater opposite the utility site.

The utility work will take an estimated five to seven weeks to complete and include extensive excavation between 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., when the streetcar isn’t in normal service.

Crews will install shoring as they dig a 4-foot-wide trench approximately 4 feet under the streetcar track slab, where the rail curves from westbound 12th Street to northbound Elm Street.

The excavation process, which will require the operator of the streetcar to turn off the system’s overhead electric power supply in the OTR loop, will cause loud noise likely to be heard within three blocks of the site. Excavation will take place nightly for two to three weeks using an industrial vacuum.

Site preparation will include saw cutting and jack hammering to remove the road bed, pavers and sidewalk for the trench. Although this phase will be completed during the day without interrupting streetcar service, it will require the closure of 12th Street to regular vehicular traffic between Race and Elm streets.

Streetcars will be allowed to travel through the work zone with a flagger on site to stop work while they pass. A law enforcement officer also will be stationed on site to help direct motorists and pedestrians around the site.

Motorists heading east on 12th will be detoured north on Elm, east on 14th, south on Race and east again on 12th. Motorists heading west on 12th will be detoured south on Vine Street, west on Central Parkway, north on Elm and west again on 12th.

Detour signage will be posted on site.

Pedestrians will be detoured to the sidewalk on the south side of 12th.

Work will not be allowed during morning drop off and afternoon pick up for students at Cincinnati Public’s School for the Creative Performing Arts, 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. The school is located between Elm and Race, and 12th and Central Parkway.

Metro bus service isn’t affected by the restrictions along this block of 12th.

No work will be allowed on Thanksgiving or the following day, Nov. 23 – Nov. 24. And, normal electric service for Duke’s customers in the area will not be disrupted.