Monday, November 23, 2020
I-490 Closure Between I-77 and East 55th Extended Six Months to Nov. 2021 Due to Additional Work
Posted By Vince Grzegorek vgrzegorek@clevescene.com> on Mon, Nov 23, 2020 at 10:47 AM
Additional work required on the Opportunity Corridor will mean an additional six months that the section of I-490 between I-711 and East 55th St. will be closed, ODOT announced this morning.
That stretch was scheduled to welcome back motorists in May 2021 after being closed for two entire years; that now will not happen until Nov. 2021.
From ODOT's announcement:
Following a detailed review of the design plans, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) requested a change to the grade – or slope – where I-490/Opportunity Blvd. passes under E. 55th St. The Design-Build Team’s plans met the minimum standards; however, ODOT preferred a more gradual slope in order to make the roadway safer for all users.
This change added approximately six months of work and $4.6 million to the project. Additionally, unforeseen utility relocation delays have had an impact on the project schedule. The design and construction changes, and utility delays will not impact the overall completion of project in summer 2022.
Originally, I-490 was set to open in late-May 2021. At that time, I-490 traffic would have only had access to E. 55th Street via the new quadrant roadway as the entire boulevard was not scheduled to be substantially open until early-November 2021. Concerns for pedestrian safety and traffic congestion along E. 55th St. also led the Department to delay the original opening of I-490 to the new Opportunity Corridor Blvd.
The revised opening date for I-490 at E. 55th St. will now coincide with the substantial opening of the new boulevard between E. 55th St. and E. 93rd St. on November 1, 2021.
Kokosing Construction Company, Inc. was awarded the design-build contract on the third and final section of the Opportunity Corridor with a bid amount of $150,858,250.00. Thirty million dollars under the estimated cost.
The third and final phase of the Opportunity Corridor project will connect I-490/I-77 to E. 93rd Street, where Section 2 left off. Construction highlights will include two new pedestrian bridges, three new bridges located along the boulevard, one new bridge over the boulevard, one railroad bridge over the boulevard, six signalized intersections, new water mains, new major sanitary and storm sewers, along with tree lawns, sidewalks and a shared-use path.
We welcome readers to submit letters regarding articles and content in Cleveland Scene. Letters should be a minimum of 150 words, refer to content that has appeared on Cleveland Scene, and must include the writer's full name, address, and phone number for verification purposes. No attachments will be considered. Writers of letters selected for publication will be notified via email. Letters may be edited and shortened for space.
Email us at news@clevescene.com.
Cleveland Scene works for you, and your support is essential.
Our small but mighty local team works tirelessly to bring you high-quality, uncensored news and cultural coverage of Cleveland and beyond.
Unlike many newspapers, ours is free – and we'd like to keep it that way, because we believe, now more than ever, everyone deserves access to accurate, independent coverage of their community.
Whether it's a one-time acknowledgement of this article or an ongoing pledge, your support helps keep Cleveland's true free press free.
Speaking of...
More on Scene & Heard
-
Cuyahoga County Extends Stay-at-Home Advisory Through End of January
- Jan 19, 2021
-
Two Members of Self-Described Ohio Militia Charged by Feds for Participating in Capitol Riot
- Jan 19, 2021
-
Marty Sweeney Weasels His Way Back Into Office, Aided and Abetted by Cuyahoga County Dems
- Jan 19, 2021
- More Scene & Heard »
More by Vince Grzegorek
-
Cuyahoga County Extends Stay-at-Home Advisory Through End of January
Jan 19, 2021 -
Two Members of Self-Described Ohio Militia Charged by Feds for Participating in Capitol Riot
Jan 19, 2021 -
On the Browns, the End, and the Future — The A to Z Podcast With Andre Knott and Zac Jackson
Jan 18, 2021 - More »
Cleveland Scene on Social Media
Most Popular
-
Marty Sweeney Weasels His Way Back Into Office, Aided and Abetted by Cuyahoga County Dems Read More
-
Dan Gilbert Sold His Jack Entertainment Casino Business Last Year Read More
-
After More Than 50 Years, Balaton at Risk of Closing. Sets up GoFundMe for Assistance Read More
-
The Last Page Restaurant Coming to Pinecrest in February Read More
-
Two Members of Self-Described Ohio Militia Charged by Feds for Participating in Capitol Riot Read More
