By Jennifer Edwards
The Cincinnati Enquirer

DETOURS

Detours for southbound I-471: Continue on I-471 north, exit onto Sixth Street, left on Sycamore Street, left on Fifth Street, and proceed east over the Columbia Parkway viaduct onto eastbound Columbia Parkway. Detour for southbound Eggleston traffic to eastbound Columbia Parkway: Continue south on Eggleston, west on Pete Rose Way (U.S. 52), right onto Broadway and go north; right onto Fifth Street and proceed east over Columbia Parkway viaduct to eastbound Columbia Parkway. Detour for eastbound Columbia Parkway: Continue east on Columbia Parkway, left onto Kemper Lane, left onto Nassau Street, and left onto Gilbert Avenue. Motorists have the choice of Eden Park or Elsinore to Mount Adams. Detour for Bains Street from eastbound Columbia Parkway: Continue east on Columbia Parkway, right onto Delta Avenue, left onto Eastern Avenue and right onto Stanley; go three blocks to Kellogg Avenue. Bains Street is to be closed only at night per contract.

INFOGRAPHIC

• Columbia Parkway construction (PDF file)

MOUNT ADAMS - An $8.5 million replacement project for the Columbia Parkway bridge into downtown begins March 15 and will end in October 2005, state transportation officials plan to announce next week.

Drivers will be able to use the bridge during construction, but some ramps will be closed. Traffic will be disrupted for 19 months. About 25,000 motorists use the bridge daily.

Signs warning of the detours and construction work will be posted March 1, said Liz Lyons, a spokeswoman with the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Traffic officials say they have worked with Mount Adams residents to make sure plenty of signs were posted before and during construction in key areas.

Mount Adams sits atop a hill just east of downtown Cincinnati, offering river and city views. But it can be a challenge to find.

To solve that, the Mount Adams Business Guild will spend $1,500 to $2,000 to buy permanent Mount Adams signs to show the way to the business district, said Neil Quinn of Towne Properties, president of the 35-member guild.

During construction, Mount Adams traffic will be diverted to Kemper Lane.

Some business owners are bracing for reduced revenues.

"We are trying to make the best out of a bad situation," said Pat Sheppard, co-owner of the Mount Adams Bar & Grill and the Blind Lemon. "It's going to put a little dent in business. If people get lost, they will go somewhere else. That has been a battle forever."

Others are more optimistic.

"Maybe I will eat my words come August, but I couldn't be less concerned, to be honest with you," said Doug Donaldson, co-owner of a new Italian restaurant and tavern on St. Gregory Street, Mangia Osteria and Guido's Lounge.

E mail jedwards@enquirer.com.