Three years ago, the pedestrian bridge over Interstate 90 connecting two east side Cleveland neighborhoods was struck and damaged to the point that it had to be removed, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation. Now, it's finally being replaced.
The week of April 18, ODOT crews started to replace the pedestrian bridge.
“We understand the importance of this connection for the adjacent neighborhoods,” said District 12 Deputy Director Myron Pakush. “ODOT has been working with city officials since 2013 to develop and implement a plan to replace the structure.”
ODOT reported the bridge will connect the northern and southern portions of Nottingham Village and North Shore Collinwood at the eastern edge of Cleveland.
“The bridge was designed not just to enhance transportation but also intended to be a piece of public art designed differently to complement the neighborhood,” said Ward 8 Councilman Michael Polensek. “In fact, the new proposed bike path linking the lakefront to the Highland Road entrance to the Euclid Creek Reservation will traverse the new pedestrian bridge.”
Preliminary construction operations over the next few weeks will not have any impacts to traffic on I-90, according to ODOT.
Beginning around mid-May, daytime lane closures on I-90, west of East 185th Street, will take place on weekdays during off-peak travel times, ODOT reported. Occasional overnight lane closures will be necessary when crews begin setting overhead beams.
I-90 was closed the weekend of the incident after a truck's trailer struck the bridge, ODOT said. According to Cleveland police, the truck from Big Blue Trucking out of Warren, Ohio, was apparently traveling with the trailer raised when it struck the pedestrian bridge, causing serious damage to the bridge. The trailer also flipped over as a result.
PHOTOS: Dump truck strikes pedestrian bridge above I-90 in Cleveland
The original bridge was dismantled in two days.
For more information, visit Ohgo.com.
