Lytle Tunnel construction begins today

Construction work on Lytle Tunnel begins on Tuesday and will require drivers to use detours periodically over the next two years, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.

The schedule for specific road closures related to the construction work won't be finalized until mid-June, ODOT said in a release. Construction work will be completed in late 2017.

The project will bring the tunnel into compliance with fire codes and design standards, according to ODOT.

Traffic patterns will be widely affected by construction work, including:

• Second Street ramp to northbound I-71 for 60 consecutive days.
• Southbound Interstate 71 for one weekend.
• Third Street ramp from I-71 for one weekend.

For these detours, ODOT recommends the following alternatives:

Southbound I-71 ramp to Third Street detour: Traffic detoured to the Gilbert Avenue/Reading Road (exit) to Gilbert Avenue to East Eighth Street to Sycamore Street to East Third Street.

Northbound I-71 via Second Street ramp detour: Traffic detoured to Main Street to East Fifth Street to northbound I-71.

Among the improvements scheduled to be made on the tunnel are additional cameras and a fire detection system for emergency situations, tunnel-lighting upgrades, repairs to the tunnel concrete and tiles, upgrades to the mechanical systems and ventilation and installation of new access hatches.

The release also made clear ODOT will attempt to schedule work around major events like Major League Baseball's 2015 All-Star Game, Riverfest, Oktoberfest, and various marathons and road races.