Contraflow Lane on I-75 Closed Due to Heavy Snow

Crews working to clear the lane, but no timeline for reopening

Jan. 27, 2026 at 12:31pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The "contraflow" lane on southbound Interstate 75 through central Cincinnati has been temporarily closed due to heavy snowfall that has pushed snow over the lane's barrier wall. The Ohio Department of Transportation says maintenance crews are working to clear the lane, but cannot provide a timeline for when it will reopen.

Why it matters

The contraflow lane is used to absorb extra traffic during construction work on I-75. With the lane closed, southbound I-75 traffic is reduced to two lanes instead of three, which could lead to delays and congestion for commuters and travelers.

The details

The contraflow lane extends from just north of Paddock Road to State Route 562, also known as the Norwood Lateral. It runs alongside northbound I-75 and provides an extra southbound lane as ODOT widens parts of the interstate. The lane was closed due to heavy snow that inadvertently got pushed over the barrier wall, creating large snow clouds that extended high and wide.

  • The contraflow lane was closed on January 27, 2026.

The players

Ohio Department of Transportation

The state agency responsible for maintaining and improving Ohio's transportation infrastructure, including Interstate 75.

Kathleen Fuller

A spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“When plowing heavy amounts of snow, a snow cloud will be created. These clouds of snow have a far reach and extend rather high, so the more snow you have, the bigger the cloud.”

— Kathleen Fuller, ODOT Spokesperson

What’s next

Maintenance crews will continue working to clear the contraflow lane, but ODOT has not provided a timeline for when the lane will reopen.

The takeaway

The closure of the contraflow lane on I-75 due to heavy snowfall highlights the challenges that winter weather can pose for transportation infrastructure and the importance of effective snow removal efforts to maintain traffic flow during construction projects.