CINCINNATI (AP) You’ve heard of the Texas Two-Step, but how about the Texas Turnaround?

Interstate 275 repairs and resurfacing will steer Ohio motorists from now through October into what transportation officials call the Texas Turnaround. The Ohio Department of Transportation says it’s basically an extended U-turn while ramps are closed.

In the first step, southbound I-275 traffic to eastbound I-74 will continue onto the Ohio State Route 128 exit for a dedicated lane that will carry traffic to east I-74. Then the ramp from westbound I-74 to northbound I-275 will be closed and traffic diverted to S.R. 128 to access the turnaround to eastbound I-74 to reach northbound I-275.

The work is part of a two-year project on I-275 in Hamilton County.

Frequently Asked

Questions

Q: Why is ODOT doing this?

A: ODOT is closing two ramps for rehabilitation. The first one is the ramp from I-74 west to I-275 north. The second is the ramp from I-275 south to I-74 east. These ramps are too narrow to rehabilitate under traffic in part-width as is normally done.

Q: What is a “Texas Turnaround” and how does it work?

A: The Texas Turnaround is basically a big U-turn for I-74 and I-275. Traffic that is diverted upstream for ramp closures will use the Turnaround as an alternate route. The Texas Turnaround is completely separated from the traffic on State Route 128, it does not interfere with the normal operation of 128, and the Turnaround traffic does not wait for a signal.

Q: When is it going to start?

A: The Texas Turnaround went into effect in September of 2014.

Q: How long will it be in place?

A: The Contractor doing the work is permitted to use the Texas Turnaround for a maximum of 60 days. There are penalties in place for exceeding this.

Q: Is the park and ride going to close (temporarily or forever)? What about the westbound on-ramp?

A: The Park and Ride will be closed temporarily while the Texas Turnaround is in use. The ramp from State Route 128 to I-74 West will also close temporarily and a detour will be posted for westbound traffic.

Q: How much time will the Texas Turnaround add to my commute?

A: It will add approximately 5 minutes to a commute under normal traffic conditions.

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