Lower Mill Creek High Water/Dry Weather Protection

 

 

PROJECT NAME, LOCATION AND DELIVERY METHOD

  • Name: Lower Mill Creek High Water/Dry Weather Protection
  • Location: Three separation locations in the City of Cincinnati, two in the East End neighborhood and one in the Sedamsville neighborhood
  • Project Delivery Method: Design Bid Build

 

OVERVIEW

MSD is making improvements to three combined sewer overflow (CSO) locations along the Ohio River to improve maintenance access to the CSOs, replace or rehab deteriorated CSO outfall pipes, and prevent the back flow of Ohio River water into the pipes, which contributes to sewer overflows, sewer backups, and the unnecessary treatment of river water at our treatment plants:

 

The three improvement areas include:

 

CSO 452/453 on Riverside Drive at Waterfront East Condos in the East End:

  • Relocate and combine the CSO 452 and 453 outfalls under Riverside Drive to south of the roadway.
  • Install a new access driveway on the east side of Waterfront East Condos.
  • Install a junction chamber in Riverside Drive to combine flows from the former CSO 452 and 453 outfalls.
  • Construct a new 60-inch-diameter CSO outfall pipe to the Ohio River.
  • Install a check valve on the outfall pipe to prevent the back flow of river water.
  • Fill, seal, and abandon the existing outfall pipe that lies underneath the Waterfront East Condo building.

Project map showing construction zone
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CSO 422 on River Road at Mt. Echo Drive in Sedamsville:

 

  • Relocate the CSO 422 outfall under River Road/Route 50 to north of the roadway.
  • Rehabilitate the existing CSO outfall pipe to the Ohio River.
  • Construct new storm sewers to the outfall pipe.
  • Install a check valve on the outfall pipe to prevent the back flow of river water.

Project map showing construction zone
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CSO 459/460 on Riverside Drive at Bayou and Callahan streets in the East End:

  • Rehabilitate the existing CSO outfall pipe.
  • Install a flap valve on the outfall pipe to prevent the back flow of river water.
  • Install a new access driveway off Callahan Street.

 

Project map showing construction zone
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PROJECT STATUS

Photo of CSO outfall into the Ohio River partially under water
Existing CSO 452/453 outfall into the Ohio River. Many CSO outfalls along the Ohio River are under water - even during dry weather - which can lead to back flow of river water into the sewer system.

 

 

The first phase of the project started in July. Completion of the third (final) phase is anticipated by Fall 2027. The construction phases are listed below. Sunesis Construction Co. is the construction contractor.

 

CSO 452/453 on Riverside Drive at Waterfront East Condos in the East End:

  • Construction began in July 2026 and is expected to be completed by fall 2026.
  • Traffic impacts will occur in the vicinity of Riverside Drive and Collins Avenue in the East End neighborhood from July 1, 2026, through the end of November 2026. The project work in the roadway was recently delayed due to rain, utility conflicts, and the presence of beavers in the existing outfall pipe. Cincinnati Police will help direct traffic at this intersection from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily from October 2 through the end of the project.
    • The westbound lanes of Riverside Drive will be closed to thru traffic between Collins Avenue and 2233 Riverside Drive.
    • All eastbound lanes of Riverside Drive will be maintained.
    • Motorists traveling east on Riverside Drive can turn left onto northbound Collins Avenue. Motorists traveling south on Collins Avenue from William Howard Taft Road can turn left onto eastbound Riverside Drive.
    • Area residents between Collins Avenue and 2233 Riverside Drive can turn left or right onto Riverside Drive from their parking lots.
    • Access to residences, businesses, and emergency services will be maintained throughout construction.
    • DETOUR: Westbound thru motorists will be detoured onto northbound Collins Avenue, right (east) on William Howard Taft Road, right (west) onto Columbia Parkway, West 50/71/75/Third Street exit, Eggleston Avenue/71 North exit, E. Third Street, left (south) onto Eggleston Avenue, left (east) onto East Pete Rose Way/Riverside Drive.

 

Map showing project area
VIEW THE TRAFFIC IMPACTS AND DETOUR MAP

 

 

CSO 422 on River Road at Mt. Echo Drive in Sedamsville:

  • Construction is anticipated to begin in January 2027 and be completed by spring 2027.
  • No traffic impacts are anticipated.

 

 

CSO 459/460 on Riverside Drive at Bayou and Callahan streets in the East End:

  • Construction is anticipated to begin in Summer 2027 and be completed by Fall 2027.
  • No traffic impacts are anticipated.