'Big flip' of downtown Dayton I-75 traffic postponed

The Ohio Department of Transportation said Wednesday morning that it postponed a “big flip,” when all southbound traffic, seen Wednesday morning in the far lanes, would be switched to the northbound lanes on Interstate 75 through downtown Dayton. ODOT spokeswoman Mandi Abner said cold temperatures prevented the “flip” overnight. CHRIS STEWART / STAFF

Credit: Chris Stewart

Credit: Chris Stewart

The Ohio Department of Transportation said Wednesday morning that it postponed a “big flip,” when all southbound traffic, seen Wednesday morning in the far lanes, would be switched to the northbound lanes on Interstate 75 through downtown Dayton. ODOT spokeswoman Mandi Abner said cold temperatures prevented the “flip” overnight. CHRIS STEWART / STAFF

The Ohio Department of Transportation said Wednesday morning that it’s postponing the “big flip,” when all southbound traffic on Interstate 75 through downtown Dayton is switched to the northbound lanes to Thursday overnight.

ODOT spokeswoman Mandi Abner said cold temperatures prevented the “flip” overnight.

Two southbound lanes were scheduled to be switched by about 10 p.m. Tuesday evening.

The goal is to allow three lanes southbound and two lanes northbound.

The following ramps have already closed:

  • Ramps from Monument Street and Second Street to I-75 south

The following ramps will now close beginning Thursday, Dec. 13th at 7 p.m.:

  • Ramps from I-75 south to First Street and Third Street

The ramps will remain closed. A newly constructed ramp is scheduled to reopen in this area in 2016.

Once southbound traffic is moved to the northbound side of I-75, crews will demolish and then reconstruct southbound I-75. The lane switchover will take place between Main Street and U.S. 35.

ODOT is advising drivers to use extreme caution in this area.

The northbound exit and entrance ramps to I-75, which closed this fall, will remain closed throughout the project.

According to ODOT, the following ramps will remain open throughout construction and serve as primary detours to access downtown:

  • Jefferson Street off U.S. 35
  • Main Street off I-75
  • Edwin C. Moses Boulevard off I-75

The project will create three continuous lanes in both directions from Third to Main streets and upgrade pavement. The $126 million project is expected to be completed in fall 2017.

Arrow boards and signs will be in place prior to the work zone to alert motorists of the upcoming closure. Law enforcement will be on hand to monitor traffic flow, Abner said.

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