Cleveland – After closely working with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) on its Innerbelt Bridge Safety Plan, State Senator Shirley A. Smith congratulated ODOT on reopening all lanes and ramps on the bridge in time for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Repairs which began several months ago were recently completed, allowing ODOT to reopen the W. 14th Street onramp to I-90 eastbound, as well as all lanes over the Innerbelt Bridge and the Ontario Street entrance ramp to I-90 westbound.
"For safety’s sake, ODOT needed to restrict some of the traffic flow on the bridge. That left neighborhoods such as Tremont and the Gateway District with limited access to I‐90," said Senator Smith. “Despite delays and other obstacles in the process, I am pleased to have these ramps reopened in time for the holiday season. The Innerbelt is one of Ohio’s most vital highway links, and it is imperative that we keep it open and fully functional while a new bridge is constructed.”
This accelerated phase of ODOT’s Innerbelt Bridge Safety Plan is part of the department’s $10 million investment on the Innerbelt Bridge this year, aimed at maintaining safe and reliable travel on the aging bridge
In March 2009 ODOT announced plans to construct a new westbound Innerbelt Bridge, utilizing federal transportation stimulus funds made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Construction of the new westbound bridge is expected to begin in 2011.
Senator Shirley Smith represents Cleveland and the 21st Senate District, which stretches from Old Brooklyn and Brooklyn Heights north to downtown and east to University Heights. She joined the Senate in 2006 and currently serves as Assistant Minority Leader. Prior to joining the Senate, she spent eight years in the Ohio House of Representatives.
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