State Route 48 through downtown Loveland is open again after a weeklong full closure, but drivers should expect delays for another two to three weeks as flaggers manage intermittent traffic control near the O'Bannon Creek bridge.

The Ohio Department of Transportation announced Monday, July 27, that the full closure phase has ended and crews have moved into the project's final stretch, Local 12 reported. ODOT said flaggers will be deployed as needed while workers install guardrails, complete sidewalks, and seal the bridge surface.

The route had been fully shut down starting at 5 a.m. Wednesday, July 22, sending motorists on a detour through SR 28, I-275, and U.S. 22. As we reported July 16, the closure affected a stretch between the CSX Railroad and Lyons Road that runs through the heart of Loveland's downtown business district.

Remaining work and timeline

The bridge rehabilitation project involves installing a concrete overlay and modified asphalt expansion joints on the SR 48 span over O'Bannon Creek, according to the City of Loveland's construction projects page. ODOT's project page identifies the work as part of a broader $1.14 million bridge preservation effort covering SR 48 and SR 132 in Clermont County. Construction began in spring 2026, and ODOT lists a fall 2026 completion target.

The project is in Step 4 of 5 on ODOT's construction tracker, with the final "Completion" step still ahead.

What drivers should know

The road is now passable. But flaggers will stop traffic in one or both directions as needed for guardrail installation and other finishing work. ODOT has not published a specific daily schedule for the intermittent closures.

Unlike the full closure that required the SR 28/I-275/U.S. 22 detour, drivers can still get through on SR 48 during this phase, though they should allow extra time for stops, particularly during work hours on weekdays.

Residents with questions can contact ODOT District 8's Public Information Office at 513-933-6517 or [email protected].