Commuters in Cleveland will need to brace for some disruptions as emergency repairs commence on the W. 117th bridge over I-90, starting tonight at 7 p.m. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) District 12 Cleveland announced that I-90 eastbound at W. 117th St. will be pared down to two lanes, and the W. 117th St. southbound entrance ramp to I-90 will be closed off. These repairs, which arise from a bridge hit in the spring, are expected to take roughly 30 days, with crews operating 14-hour shifts, seven days a week, to expedite the process.
As noted on ODOT's social media post, the decision to integrate these emergency repairs into the existing contract of the I-90 Major Rehab project was strategized to reduce overall impact by utilizing the pre-established work zone and contractor.
Travelers intending to go from W. 117th south to I-90 east will have to suffer a detour, diverting first to I-90 west to W. 140th St., where they can make the necessary turnaround. ODOT recommends adjusting travel times if planning to navigate through this area, suggesting leaving early, checking OHGO for live traffic updates, considering RTA public transportation options, and yet again punctuating the need to depart earlier than usual.
The Department has emphasized mitigating the inconvenience posed by these needed repairs, encouraging the public to lean into alternative planning to cushion the expected delays. Drivers and city dwellers are encouraged to stay apprised of traffic conditions and updates through ODOT's informed channels, arguably serving the city's pulse as arteries, now constricted by repair and renewal, are tended to with urgency and foresight.
