Q: How many bridges are being built?
A: Two. The first new bridge will be built to the north of the existing bridge and will eventually carry westbound traffic. A separate contract will be sold to build the second new bridge. Eventually, the existing bridge will be removed and a second new bridge will be built to carry eastbound traffic.
Q: Why is ODOT building two new bridges?
A: By constructing two bridges, ODOT is able to maintain traffic on I-90 – a vital link into Downtown Cleveland. During the construction of the first bridge (the westbound bridge) traffic will be maintained on the existing bridge. During construction of the second new bridge, the first bridge will be used to maintain traffic while the eastbound bridge is constructed.
Q: Will the existing bridge remain open during construction?
A: Yes. The existing bridge will remain open during construction of the new westbound bridge. ODOT is currently studying how traffic will be maintained upon completion of the westbound bridge.
Q: How many lanes will each bridge have when complete?
A: Each new bridge will carry five lanes of traffic when complete.
Q: The westbound bridge is being constructed using the "design-build" method. What is “design-build?”
A: In order to complete construction of the first new bridge faster, ODOT is using a unique value based "design-build" process, in which the design and construction of the project are performed by a team of designers and construction contractors. In a typical "design-bid-build" project, design is completed prior to bidding and a project of this magnitude could take a number of years to be designed, let alone constructed. The overlapping of design and construction also reduces the likelihood of project delays, as construction work is on-going.
Q: How long and tall will the new westbound bridge be?
A: The new westbound bridge will be about 4,247 feet long and will stand about 120 feet over the Cuyahoga River Valley at its highest point.
Q: How much did the contractor bid to construct the new westbound bridge and associated improvements?
A: $287.4 million.
Q: Where will the new westbound bridge touch-down in Cleveland?
A: The new westbound bridge will be built to the north of the existing bridge. On the west end, the new westbound bridge will touch-down on the spot where the Cold Storage Building stands today. On the east end, the bridge will touch-down near the Western Reserve Fire Museum & Education Center across the street from Progressive Field. The new eastbound bridge will take essentially the same alignment as the existing bridge.
Q: When will ODOT tear-down the existing bridge?
A: Demolition of the existing bridge will take place after the new westbound bridge is complete and all traffic is moved onto it. The new westbound bridge will temporarily carry traffic in both directions – two lanes in the inbound direction (eastbound) and four lanes in the outbound direction (westbound) –during construction of the second new bridge. During that time, the W.14th Street ramp to I-90 eastbound and the I-90 eastbound exit ramps to Broadway Ave. and Ontario St. will be closed. One additional lane of traffic will be added from I-490 to I-77 northbound to carry the influx of inbound traffic. At this time, a specific date has not been set for demolition.
Q: How many vehicles use the Innerbelt Bridge each day?
A: As of 2010, more than 138,000 vehicles cross the Innerbelt Bridge every day.