Flying High: New Bridge Ramp in Cincinnati

We’re helping raise the bar on the connection between two major highways in Cincinnati with a new “flyover bridge ramp” that will ultimately improve motorist safety and traffic flow. The new Mill Creek Ramp O bridge over 3 railroad tracks, 3 different roadways, and the Mill Creek to replace the previous ramp, which featured a sharp street-level curve. The replacement allows drivers to double their speed when traveling between the two connected highways.

What is a Flyover Bridge?

A flyover bridge is a descriptive industry term that refers to a portion of a highway or ramp elevated above another at-grade stretch of highway or intersection to improve traffic flow and/or safety. It often replaces a traditional cloverleaf loop on/off ramp.

Cincinnati’s New Mill Creek Ramp O

This new ramp from the well-traveled I-75 (north/south) and I-74 (east/west) near downtown Cincinnati takes motorists over more than traffic. It spans three railroad tracks, a creek, and three different roadways. At 1872 feet, it’s more than a third of a mile long with 70-foot tall piers, over 2.5 million pounds of structural steel, and a straddle bent pier design. E.L. Robinson spearheaded the design of this bridge. Before the new ramp bridge, the interchange took motorists around a sharp curve and beneath instead of above the CSX and Norfolk Southern railroad. The traffic tended to bottleneck and rear-end collisions frequently occurred as drivers had to decelerate significantly to navigate the sharp curve. While still requiring drivers to slow down, the new ramp bridge improves travel speed on the ramp from 20mph to 40mph. This is a significant safety improvement in the connection between the two major highways.

Continuing Improvements

The Mill Creek Ramp O is part of a larger ODOT project that spans 12 phases. Travelers passing through Cincinnati will continue to notice changes, and as always, should proceed with caution, even if it feels a little like flying.

To learn more about E.L. Robinson’s Transportation Engineering services and projects, visit https://www.elrobinsonengineering.com/services/transportation-engineering.

To learn more about E.L. Robinson’s Bridge and Structural Engineering services and projects, visit https://www.elrobinsonengineering.com/services/bridge-and-structural-engineering.