If you’ve driven through the "Cut in the Hill" lately, you know the vibe. It’s that familiar mix of brake lights, orange barrels, and the sudden realization that you’re going to be fifteen minutes late to whatever you had planned. Honestly, the Cincinnati traffic report I 75 has basically become a permanent fixture of life in the Queen City. It isn’t just a road; it’s a living, breathing obstacle course that seems to change every time you look away.
January 2026 isn't giving us much of a break. Between the massive Mill Creek Expressway overhaul and the looming shadow of the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project, the mid-winter commute is feeling particularly tight. You’ve probably noticed the shifts near the Western Hills Viaduct or the weird lane splits up by Sharonville. It’s a lot to keep track of, but if you know where the pinch points are actually located, you can usually save yourself a massive headache.
The Mill Creek Mess: Phase 8 and Beyond
Right now, the heavy lifting is happening on the Mill Creek Expressway section. This is that stretch of I-75 between Paddock Road and the Western Hills Viaduct that always feels like it’s under a permanent layer of dust. We are currently deep into Phase 8. Specifically, Phase 8C is the one eating up your morning.
ODOT (the Ohio Department of Transportation) is working on widening the interstate between Regina Graeter Way and the Galbraith Road/Ronald Reagan Highway interchange. They aren't just slapping on new asphalt; they are physically adding through lanes and fixing aging bridges.
Expert Note: If you are heading south in the mornings, watch out for the contraflow lane. This shift moves one lane of southbound traffic over to the northbound side. It’s designed to keep three lanes open, but if you miss the entrance to that lane, you’re stuck in the main flow which tends to bunch up near the Mitchell Avenue exit.
The timeline for this specific "North Project" (Phase 8C) is slated to run through the fall of 2026. That means we have several more months of these specific shifts. To make matters more "fun," Phase 8B—which involves a new pump station and sewer work for the widening—is ongoing off the roadway. While it doesn't always close lanes, the equipment movement often leads to those random, inexplicable three-minute stoppages that drive everyone crazy.
Brent Spence Bridge: The Companion Is Coming
Everyone wants to talk about the "new bridge." As of early 2026, the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project is in its early construction prep phases. We aren't seeing massive girders rising out of the Ohio River just yet, but the prep work is visible.
The plan is to build a companion bridge to the west of the existing one. Once finished, the current Brent Spence will handle local traffic between downtown Cincinnati and Covington, while the new bridge will take the heavy I-71/I-75 regional travelers.
Currently, the impact is mostly felt on the access ramps.
- The on-ramp to I-71 South from Third Street is open, but often restricted during overnight hours for utility relocation.
- Construction on the KY 8 (Fourth Street) Licking River Bridge in Covington has forced some serious detours nearby, which naturally bleeds over onto the I-75 approach.
- Keep an eye on the Western Hills Viaduct. Site preparation for its replacement is in full swing. While the old viaduct stays open until the new one finishes around 2030, the I-75 lanes underneath are often subject to "intermittent" closures for debris protection.
Thru the Valley: The Sharonville Squeeze
If you commute from the northern suburbs—think West Chester, Mason, or Sharonville—you’ve likely dealt with the "Thru the Valley" project. This is the eight-mile stretch from Ronald Reagan Highway up to I-275.
Most of the heavy widening near Glendale-Milford is technically "done" or in finishing stages, but the "Unification Phase" is the next big beast. ODOT is trying to consolidate the split alignment where the highway used to divide around Lockland.
In the short term, the biggest issue is the Galbraith Road area. Because they are prepping to realign the southbound lanes, you’ll see frequent overnight lane closures. If you’re coming home late from a game or a concert downtown, expect I-75 North to drop to one or two lanes near the Norwood Lateral (SR 562) split.
Real-Time Hotspots to Avoid
You don't need a map to tell you that the 4:30 PM rush is bad, but some spots are objectively worse right now because of the 2026 construction configuration.
- The Hopple Street Exit: With the Mill Creek work, the merge from I-74 East onto I-75 South is a nightmare. The lane geometry changes frequently.
- The "Cut in the Hill": Going north into Cincinnati from Kentucky, the "Cut" is seeing more "rubbernecking" delays as people watch the prep work for the bridge corridor.
- Paddock Road Interchange: Expect narrow lanes and no shoulders. If a car stalls here, the Cincinnati traffic report I 75 goes from "slow" to "standstill" in about sixty seconds because there's nowhere for the disabled vehicle to go.
Honestly, the best thing you can do is check the ARGO or OHGO apps before you even put your car in reverse. A five-minute delay in leaving can sometimes save you twenty minutes on the road if it means missing the start of a lane-closure window.
Looking Ahead
We are in the "messy middle" of Cincinnati's infrastructure evolution. By the time we hit the 2030s, I-75 should be a much smoother, wider, and safer ride. But for now? It’s a game of patience.
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If you want to stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the KYTC (Kentucky Transportation Cabinet) Roadshow reports. They coordinate closely with ODOT for the bridge projects, and their weekly updates are usually more detailed than the local news snippets. Also, pay attention to the signage near the Sharon Road exit; they’ve been testing new variable speed limit signs to try and smooth out the "stop-and-go" waves that plague that area.
Your next move for a better commute:
- Download the OHGO app and set up custom alerts for the "Mill Creek" and "Thru the Valley" segments.
- Identify a "Plan B" route using Reading Road or I-71 for those days when the Mill Creek stretch is completely bottled up.
- Check the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor website on Sunday nights to see the scheduled lane closures for the upcoming week.
It’s going to be a long year on the asphalt, but knowing why the barrels are there at least makes the wait a little more tolerable. Sorta.