I bet we have not heard the last of what happens with the land feed up if the Prospect ramp is removed. Although it IS a lot of land for potential future development.

 

 

I also notice there will be a taking of a portion of the northeast corner (southeast portion of the Burger King parking lot) and northwest corner, as well as the building currently occupying the two to three parcels it sits on (currently a convenient type store serving the housing project across Cedar)

 

 

[see below]

I think ODOT is proposing a new street north of Cedar continuing north of Carnegie and going across I-90 on a new bridge rather than mess with East 28th.

Ramp changes ahead for I-77, I-90 entrances, exits along Inner Belt

 

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2014/10/ramp_changes_ahead_for_i-77_i-.html

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Motorists heading south out of downtown Cleveland this week and in November will confront ramp changes tied to the multibillion redesign of the Inner Belt Bridge and its offshoots.

 

• Overnight Thursday, the Ontario Street entrance ramp to Interstate 77 South will close for good.

 

• To handle traffic that would otherwise use the Ontario ramp, the entrance ramp to I-77 South at East 30th Street/Orange Avenue will be widened to carry two lanes of traffic, instead of the one available today. Crews also will open a temporary lane on I-77 South over Interstate 490.

 

• In mid-November, the East 9th entrance to I-77 South will permanently close.

 

---------

 

Personally, I don't think closing 2 HEAVILY used ramps to 77S is a great idea.

So, question for you all: is I 90 traffic materially worse these days than it was before the whole bridge project started?  Or has traffic re-distributed itself to deal with there being only one span over the valley?

Don't know about I-90, but the stretch of Ontario from Huron to Lorain-Carnegie is substantially worse during the evening rush hour, and I'm guessing the various closures have added to that. I'm sure a bad winter weather day will be a real hoot - when I say that, I mean someone needs to lose their job.

 

I'm all for traffic calming where it's appropriate but whoever decided to remove the short street that allowed for southbound traffic on Ontario to veer right south of Eagle Avenue to connect with Lorain should have their head examined, especially with the Columbus Road bridge being closed until December. Instead of a small and short *functioning* 'reliever' street for Ontario, we now have a desolate and unused 'pedestrian plaza' decorated with litter and the occasional CPD car parking spot. Then there's the closure of the right lane(s) on the Ontario on-ramp as ODOT takes their good old time painting the current bridge, and the lack of signage on Ontario southbound to indicate that BOTH of the right lanes take motorists onto the Innerbelt. It's ODOT, I should be used to incompetence, but they continue to impress me ;-)

It's too soon to tell since the Inner Belt project is far from completed. Only one of two five-lane bridges is built. Most of the ramps have yet to be redesigned. The Columbus Road bridge is closed, though it's not a very busy street anyway.

 

Of course, there's another school of thought that may be playing out: when ODOT increases the throughput capacity of an interstate highway (usually by adding lanes), it does not increase the capacity of local feeder roads and streets. That's a local concern -- except where the state or federal route is in an undeveloped area (yep, urban taxpayers subsidize rural roads!). So when an Interstate is expanded to accommodate more traffic and make driving easier on the Interstate, traffic congestion will worsen on urban feeders which have not been expanded.

^I was specifically curious about current conditions, because they far from complete.  For giant phased projects like this, it's always kind of interesting to see how traffic has adjusted and to re-assess the value of spending hundreds of million more on the additional phases.  Sounds like all the ancillary conditions (road closures, ramp phasing) make it pretty much impossible to re-assess the second span, though (and of course, it's an inevitability anyway).

 

Don't know about I-90, but the stretch of Ontario from Huron to Lorain-Carnegie is substantially worse during the evening rush hour, and I'm guessing the various closures have added to that. I'm sure a bad winter weather day will be a real hoot - when I say that, I mean someone needs to lose their job.

 

I'm all for traffic calming where it's appropriate but whoever decided to remove the short street that allowed for southbound traffic on Ontario to veer right south of Eagle Avenue to connect with Lorain should have their head examined, especially with the Columbus Road bridge being closed until December. Instead of a small and short *functioning* 'reliever' street for Ontario, we now have a desolate and unused 'pedestrian plaza' decorated with litter and the occasional CPD car parking spot. Then there's the closure of the right lane(s) on the Ontario on-ramp as ODOT takes their good old time painting the current bridge, and the lack of signage on Ontario southbound to indicate that BOTH of the right lanes take motorists onto the Innerbelt. It's ODOT, I should be used to incompetence, but they continue to impress me ;-)

 

This is interesting.  Looking at the before and after, I have no idea why ODOT doesn't provide a right turn-only lane there to separate LC bridge users from people entering the new Innerbelt bridge. The total number of lanes emptying out of Ontario (5) is the same as before, even with the removal that little bypass road to the bridge. They could have closed that bypass road and still provided a right turn only lane (adding a 6th lane). 

 

FWIW that "pedestrian plaza" is actually part of the bike route ODOT built from Tremont to Downtown, and is pretty vital for bikers who (sanely) don't want to ride in mixed traffic on Ontario. It's a major bummer if nobody is using it.

I would have issued an RFP for developing that "pedestrian plaza" which I would have loved to include a rail transit station in the basement. But our downtown isn't quite there yet.

As someone who lives downtown and frequently jogs the Detroit Superior and Lorain bridge "loop" through Ohio City, I can tell you that this little plaza actually gets used quite often. A lot of downtown residents jog/bike this loop. In fact, it's commonly referred to as the "gauntlet" mostly due to the unobstructed wind and up-down nature of the route. It is a perfect 3 mile loop for those who care. Needless to say, I would not complain if a transit center was built and the path integrated into the development!

^Good to hear.  I actually think the design of that route is something ODOT got right, and now love the walk across the LC bridge when I'm in town (esp if it's to a ballgame).

 

And just to emphasize, ODOT could have built that plaza and provided a right turn only lane for southbound drivers on Ontario, so I think MayDay's complaint is still reasonable, even if his ire need not be directed at the bike/ped route.

 

Also, in case anyone has no idea what "plaza" we're talking about, here's a pic (courtesty of GCBL):

 

More centrally on topic, where is the construction happening now?  Has there been work on the footings of the new bridge yet? Or are they still demoing the last few remnants of the old bridge?

Campus District wants a green roof over I-90 at the East 22nd bridge

 

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2014/11/green_roof_on_i-90_at_east_22n.html#incart_m-rpt-1

Looking ahead to 2015

 

Regional Interstate Impacts:

The biggest impact will be to I-71 outbound motorists as crews replace the I-71 north and south bridge decks over I-490.  The current three lanes of I-71 southbound will be reduced to two lanes for a period of no more than 200 days. There is currently one lane northbound and this will remain the same. Traffic will also be shifted throughout the project as crews work on one side and then the other.

 

Downtown Impacts:

Downtown motorists will experience lane closures and nighttime complete closures under I-90 as crews work on Ontario and East 9th Streets to build new overpasses. In addition, Ontario/Orange (between Carnegie and E 14th, south of the Innerbelt) will be reduced to two lanes in each direction for a period of about four months as crews works to rebuild the roadway in that area. This will impact I-77 motorists who use Orange Avenue/Ontario Street.

 

Tremont Impacts:

In Tremont, motorists should expect short-term closures of Starkweather, Kenilworth, Abbey and Fairfield as crews construct steel girders for the new overpasses overhead.

 

Main Viaduct (GVV Bridge):

Crews will continue with construction of piers throughout the Cuyahoga River Valley. Pile driving work is expected to be complete during the spring of 2015 and underground pier foundations should be complete by fall 2015.  Steel erection is expected to begin on completed piers during the spring of 2015 and continue through the spring of  2016.

A push to finish bridge for the RNC.

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2015/01/odot_studying_whether_second_i.html#incart_river

ODOT has been tweeting about lane closures on the bridge during the evenings, urging persons heading to Disney On Ice at The Q to take GCRTA or the posted detour route via I-490/77.

ODOT has been tweeting about lane closures on the bridge during the evenings, urging persons heading to Disney On Ice at The Q to take GCRTA or the posted detour route via I-490/77.

 

We went to the 11am show Saturday, and it looked like they used about half the Arena, with the upper decks not all in use.

 

I have trouble believing that parents who could afford those ticket/souvenir prices were willing to drag their kids onto the bus, and have even more trouble imagining the behavior of kids confined to same post-show.  :shudder:

Little kids on the bus are great. Last Friday I got to watch a brother and sister punch each other through their winter coats for 'bout half an hour while they giggled.

Little kids on the bus are great. Last Friday I got to watch a brother and sister punch each other through their winter coats for 'bout half an hour while they giggled.

 

Parents want to control their surroundings as much as they can though, for safety reasons. Kids don't care all that much.

Inner Belt ramp truce means ODOT should get going on work, neighborhood groups say http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2015/01/

From Spring Innerbelt newsletter.

From ODOT a few minutes ago...

 

Tomorrow, Starkweather Ave is scheduled to close under I-90 from 6a Monday thru 6p Tuesday. Use Kenilworth instead. @TremontWest

Coming soon.

^ That's actually pretty cool.

They should network the GVV bridge with the Terminal Tower and other bridges/buildings that have programmable LED lighting. That way all of downtown is color coordinated based on different events/holidays. :D

Dang, it took me forever to find this this thread. Then I realized the title was spelled wrong (or, I was searching using the a different spelling then was originated). It is INNERBELT, not Inner Belt

 

 

Just saying.

 

 

Anyway, Here are some photos I took last week while playing tourists with the Fiancee

 

 

For perspective, we started off at Sokolowski's

 

 

DSCN7162 by Scott Muscatello, on Flickr

 

 

DSCN7163 by Scott Muscatello, on Flickr

 

 

DSCN7164 by Scott Muscatello, on Flickr

 

 

DSCN7165 by Scott Muscatello, on Flickr

 

 

DSCN7166 by Scott Muscatello, on Flickr

 

 

DSCN7167 by Scott Muscatello, on Flickr

 

 

DSCN7168 by Scott Muscatello, on Flickr

 

 

DSCN7169 by Scott Muscatello, on Flickr

 

 

DSCN7170 by Scott Muscatello, on Flickr

 

 

DSCN7171 by Scott Muscatello, on Flickr

 

 

DSCN7172 by Scott Muscatello, on Flickr

 

 

I got a kick out of this

DSCN7174 by Scott Muscatello, on Flickr

 

 

This upset me though. I mean, if you are going to put graffiti all over the place, at least make it look good.

But it was nice to see people taking advantage of the scenery

DSCN7175 by Scott Muscatello, on Flickr

 

 

DSCN7176 by Scott Muscatello, on Flickr

 

 

Art coming soon

DSCN7177 by Scott Muscatello, on Flickr

 

 

CUT THE WEEDS ALREADY

DSCN7178 by Scott Muscatello, on Flickr

 

 

View from Scranton:

DSCN7182 by Scott Muscatello, on Flickr

 

 

 

 

That graffiti is obnoxious. I'm not sure I get the point of that wide surface on top the railing, though. Is there a functional purpose?

That graffiti is obnoxious. I'm not sure I get the point of that wide surface on top the railing, though. Is there a functional purpose?

 

Maybe a good place for chalkboard paint?

Coming together. ( from @aerialagents )

New Cleveland bridge looks like it's on fire http://t.co/CCY2ATvfWN http://t.co/zDK5wIK9NB

 

New Cleveland bridge looks like it's on fire http://t.co/CCY2ATvfWN http://t.co/zDK5wIK9NB

 

Burnin' river baby!  Well....kinda.

Those bridge lights just aren't doing it for me.  The source is really bright, but they don't seem to sufficiently illuminate the side of the bridge.  The pylon and interior lights generally seem ok, but the outside lights just don't seem to cut it.

Those bridge lights just aren't doing it for me.  The source is really bright, but they don't seem to sufficiently illuminate the side of the bridge.  The pylon and interior lights generally seem ok, but the outside lights just don't seem to cut it.

 

I was thinking the same thing. The spotlights are too visible from that angle, like they aren't focused properly toward the bridge, or they need a reflector to redirect the light.

Coming together. ( from @aerialagents )

 

BLAH...

 

 

Those bridge lights just aren't doing it for me.  The source is really bright, but they don't seem to sufficiently illuminate the side of the bridge.  The pylon and interior lights generally seem ok, but the outside lights just don't seem to cut it.

 

I was thinking the same thing. The spotlights are too visible from that angle, like they aren't focused properly toward the bridge, or they need a reflector to redirect the light.

 

I suspect the angle is all wrong.  The lights are probably too close to the bridge to provide even lighting, but I'm sure this is a difficult problem to solve given the location.  They might just need more.

My cell phone takes lousy night pics. The view from Tremont....

 

^Most phones these days have a setting on them for night pictures.

You have to be really still though when using it, or place the phone against a hard surface

I have two settings for night shots. Both produced less than favorable results here. On the other hand, when I take nights where there are few bright lights shining my way, the pictures come out very well.

The lighting is coming together. They are still said to be tweaking it though.

George V. Voinovich Bridge: a historic joint venture

Sasha  Orman - Leadership - 20 hours ago 

 

As years progress, even the most solid infrastructure begins to show signs of wear and age. This was the case with Cleveland’s I-90 Innerbelt Bridge, which carried thousands of commuters and goods across the Cuyahoga River every day. Built in 1959, the truss bridge began to succumb to corrosion and structural deterioration. After studies to determine the best course of action, the Ohio Department of Transportation made the decision to demolish the existing bridge and replace it with twin bridges to usher eastbound and westbound commuters with unprecedented efficiency. With the westbound bridge already built, the joint venture group Trumbull-Great Lakes-Ruhlin (TGR) was selected to move forward with a design build plan for the eastbound George V. Voinovich Bridge Project.

 

MORE:

http://www.businessreviewusa.com/leadership/5173/George-V-Voinovich-Bridge:-a-historic-joint-venture

A question answered from inner belt's Facebook page

 

David

October 23 at 4:42pm

Is there a reason the eastbound bridge is taller than the westbound?

 

Hi David:

About the height, it’s kind of an optical illusion… The new eastbound bridge is only about 3 feet higher, but since the bridges are “super-elevated” (like a race track where one side is higher than the other) it looks like a lot more! The extra 3 feet is to allow the inbound drivers the view of downtown rather than the bridge next door. We are still in process of placing and testing the LED lights.

 

Is it just me or is this project taking FOREVER?

Is it just me or is this project taking FOREVER?

 

Don't ask that question to my civil engineering friend who works night shifts on the project haha... It's a massive undertaking, and construction is still on schedule.

 

Also, the nighttime views of the LED lit bridge from the Tremont overlook are spectacular now. Someone with a better camera than the one on my iPhone should capture them!

Not only is it a monumental project, but the need to maintain traffic doubles, if not more, the total construction duration (and adds MAJOR costs).

 

When balancing saving time/money with minimizing delays, minimizing delays wins 9/10 times. So yes, it's been going on forever :)

I believe it was always planned to be a 25+ year long project. The bridges and all ramps being phase I with the final phase being the straightening of Dead Man's Curve.... pending appropriate funding, of course.

From ODOT:

Canal Road below I-90 bridges to close 9am-3pm tomorrow:

Bridge lighting is looking spiffy. Say does anyone know if the completion date is still OCT 2016? I thought I heard it could be fast tracked to be done prior to the Repub Convention.

Bridge lighting is looking spiffy. Say does anyone know if the completion date is still OCT 2016? I thought I heard it could be fast tracked to be done prior to the Repub Convention.

 

They had thrown that idea around, but it was determined that it would be impossible to get it done by the RNC. I don't know the current target completion date though.

We're loving these fab photos from our friends at @ShareTheRiver! So many talented photogs in #CLE! https://t.co/XrKBeOjnQ6

Innerbelt bridge completion among 2016 ODOT construction plans

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20160329/NEWS/160329757/innerbelt-bridge-completion-among-2016-odot-construction-plans

The last steel beam was placed today over Abbey Rd. on the Voinovich bridge.  It's a shame George isn't around to see everything that's happened in the last week.

The last steel beam was placed today over Abbey Rd. on the Voinovich bridge.  It's a shame George isn't around to see everything that's happened in the last week.

 

He hasn't been aware of his surroundings for a while, unfortunately.