By Gregory Korte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

EAST END - An $8.5 million replacement of the Columbia Parkway bridge into downtown will begin next spring and could disrupt traffic for two years.

The first phase of the project will last nine months and will close the Interstate 471 ramp to Columbia Parkway and the Martin Street exit to Mount Adams.

A second phase, at the end of 2004, will close the Martin Street exit back onto Columbia Parkway.

The bridge is the only bridge in Hamilton County rated in "serious" condition, engineers said. Last year, crews did work to shore up a deteriorated pier until the 2004 work could begin. About 25,000 cars use the road each day.

Traffic from I-471 will detour to Sixth Street, then to Sycamore Street, to Fifth Street, to Columbia Parkway.

Mount Adams traffic will be diverted to Kemper Lane.

"We realize it's a major entrance point into downtown Cincinnati," said Ron Mosby, a spokesman for the Ohio Department of Transportation. "We are going to make sure the information is disseminated to the public."

ODOT will meet with the East End Area Council Dec. 1 and the Mount Adams Civic Association Dec. 2 to explain the project, Mosby said.

Cincinnati City Council is expected to vote today on two emergency ordinances to allow the project to go forward. The city's contribution is just $174,846.

Construction bids will be opened Dec. 3.

Also included in the project are repairs to the Celestial Street pedestrian bridge over the parkway.

E-mail gkorte@enquirer.com