ODOT: No trucks on the Innerbelt Bridge, third lane will open

CLEVELAND -- The Ohio Department of Transportation will implement a three part safety plan for the Innerbelt Bridge to reduce congestion on the heaviest traveled bridge in Northeast Ohio. 

The first part will allow for a third lane of traffic to be opened in each direction. The lanes will open for the morning rush hour on Wednesday, November 19.

Secondly, ODOT is currently installing 100 signs posting detours for trucks. Heavy trucks and haulers will be rerouted to a new 2.5 mile route via I-77 and I-490.

ODOT says snow plows and emergency vehicles will still be able to gain access to the bridge.

The third part includes a safety analysis by ODOT that will assess the new traffic patterns at the ramps from I-90 East to E. 22nd Street and the ramp from E. 14th St to I-77 South.

ODOT says previous inspections have shown that the steel beams on the bridge are aging faster than expected. New inspections, using an ultrasonic gauge began on Sept. 28. The gauges allowed engineers to calculate the support capability of the bridge.

ODOT shut two lanes in each direction in September as well as several downtown ramps to help reduce traffic flow on the structure.

A $140 million dollar overhaul project for the Innerbelt isn't scheduled to take place until November 2009.