At least twice this summer, parts of I-71 through Cincinnati have been closed because of flooding. An Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) spokesperson says the agency is trying to figure out why.
Kathleen Fuller says when several inches of rain fall in a short time, there will be standing water somewhere. But the flooding on portions of I-71 near Ridge is a new phenomenon.
“Our drainage system is in good repair; it’s in good order, and our folks are checking on that regularly,” she tells WVXU.
Fuller says the problem appears to be somewhere upstream.
“We’ve investigated catch basins in the area. We’re looking at erosion — things that are off of ODOT’s system,” she says. “There’s private property, city-owned property.”
Fuller says ODOT is working with the city of Cincinnati to find the problem and a solution.
Fuller says they're also trying to be pro-active ahead of Tuesday's predicted storms.
“We have tried to do some erosion control and things along the embankment, where we can, on our property,” Fuller says. “For us, it’s a matter of just making sure that our storm drains are cleared and they have been doing that. Hopefully, whatever rain does fall, it will flow through as it’s supposed to under the roadway.”
A flood watch continues for the area until Wednesday morning.
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