BY LUCY MAY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The $146.9 million reconstruction on Fort Washington Way is a massive project made up of hundreds of smaller jobs that must be done just right.
Case in point: cutting through the concrete median that separates I-71 northbound and southbound just north of the Lytle Tunnel. The cut must be made so that traffic on I-71 southbound - Fort Washington Way westbound can share the same half of the tunnel and highway as traffic on I-71 northbound - Fort Washington Way eastbound.
Crews have been cutting through the median with saws rather than blasting through jackhammers.
The reason is that the lanes that make up I-71 north of the Lytle Tunnel sit on two bridges -- one for northbound, the other for southbound, said Sam Alfaour, an engineer with Parsons Brinckerhoff Ohio overseeing the project for the firm.
There is a gap between the two bridges that is at least 2.5 inches wide, so crews must be careful to create a smooth surface for drivers crossing the two spans, Mr. Alfaour said.
They also must be careful not to damage the bridges,said Don Gindling, an engineer with the city of Cincinnati and the city's construction manager for the project.
The highway reconstruction is designed to make the city's east-west connector narrower and safer. The project is scheduled for completion in August 2000.
