In this photo from August 2014 crews work to construct columns for Pier 14, on the downtown end of the new eastbound GVV Bridge.
Looking ahead to 2015... Here's what you can expect to see as part of the George V. Voinovich Bridge project. Specific timeframes are TBD, but continue to visit us here for the latest news and information.
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. Beginning in mid-April 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. Short-term lane and ramp closures are also expected in and around the interchange.
Downtown Impacts:
Starting around May 5, Ontario/Orange (between Carnegie and East 14th, south of the Innerbelt) will be reduced to two lanes in each direction until early September as crews works to rebuild the roadway in that area. This will impact I-77 motorists who use Orange Avenue/Ontario Street.
In order to expedite Downtown work for completion pre-RNC, crews will also perform work to rebuild East 9th Street (between Carnegie and Orange, south of the Innerbelt). This will involve two, total closures of the intersection of East 9th and Carnegie over two weekends. Weekends will be chosen based on downtown event schedules in order to minimize impacts. Additionally, southbound East 9th Street will be closed between Carnegie and Orange for about two months starting in late summer. Motorists will be directed to E 14th Street.
Downtown motorists will also experience lane closures and nighttime complete closures under I-90 as crews work on Ontario and East 9th Streets to build new overpasses.
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. | 