Gest Street Ramp to Seventh Street to Close
Crews will permanently close the ramp on or after December 1 to make room for the new Brent Spence companion bridge.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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The Gest Street ramp to Seventh Street in Cincinnati will be permanently closed on or after December 1, 2026. The closure is needed for partial demolition of the 19 Broadcast Plaza parking garage and to make room for the new Brent Spence companion bridge.
Why it matters
The ramp closure is a step in the Brent Spence Bridge corridor project, which is expected to add a new companion bridge by 2031. Drivers who regularly use the Gest Street connection to downtown will need to adjust their routes during the work.
Crews will close the Gest Street ramp on or after December 1, 2026, roughly 28 days from the date of this report. The new Brent Spence bridge is expected to open in 2031, with surrounding corridor work finished by 2033; the source does not give a cost figure for the project.
The players
Brent Spence Bridge
The Brent Spence Bridge is a double-decker span carrying Interstate 71 and Interstate 75 across the Ohio River between Cincinnati and Covington, Kentucky, and is the subject of a major replacement and companion-bridge project.
The details
Drivers from Gest Street can follow Linn Street to Eighth Street, then turn right onto Eighth to reach Seventh Street. Alternatively, drivers can follow Fifth Street from Gest Street and turn north on Linn Street to Eighth Street. Access to Seventh Street and downtown will be maintained by way of the Eighth Street viaduct.
Timeline
2026: Work on the Brent Spence Bridge began in earnest.
On or after December 1, 2026: The Gest Street ramp to Seventh Street closes permanently.
2031: The new Brent Spence bridge is expected to open.
2033: Surrounding corridor project work is expected to be completed.
Market Landscape
The Gest Street closure is one of the construction milestones in the Brent Spence Bridge corridor replacement, which is expected to add a companion bridge by 2031 and complete surrounding work by 2033. The project reshapes access to downtown Cincinnati during its construction window.
Drivers who use the Gest Street ramp to reach Seventh Street will need to switch to the Linn Street and Eighth Street route or the Eighth Street viaduct. Commuters should plan for altered access to downtown starting on or after December 1, 2026.
The takeaway
Drivers who regularly use the Gest Street ramp should update their routes before December 1 to avoid confusion once the ramp closes permanently. Planning ahead will ease the transition while the Brent Spence corridor work continues through 2033.
What happens next
The new Brent Spence bridge is expected to open in 2031, and surrounding corridor work is expected to finish by 2033.
Further reading
Find more local updates in the Openings & Closings section for Cincinnati.
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