ODOT: Lanes on Innerbelt Bridge to remain closed while test results analyzed

GARFIELD HEIGHTS -- An Ohio Department of Transportation spokeswoman says preliminary results from last week's strain gauge test on the Innerbelt Bridge appear to bear out the Department's expectations.

The procedure confirmed what earlier tests had found: that the steel beams on the bridge are aging faster than expected. Last week's test allowed engineers to calculate the support capability of the bridge.

ODOT and its engineers are continuing to review the data. When the data review is completed, ODOT says it will announce whether any changes are necessary for the bridge.

Until then, ODOT says two lanes in each direction will remain closed on the Innerbelt Bridge until it's determined how to reinforce the steel underneath the bridge. The Ontario, East 9th, East 14th and the I-77 North entrance ramps to I-90 West also remain closed.  ODOT says one option could be to re-route semi-trucks off the bridge until structural work can be completed. 

ODOT stresses that the Innerbelt Bridge remains safe. The agency has said previously that if there was any question about the bridge's safety, the bridge would be completely closed to motorists.

Suggested alternate routes from the east:
I-77 southbound to I-490 westbound
State Route 2 (Cleveland Memorial Shoreway) westbound
I-271 southbound to I-480 west to State Route 176 (Jennings Freeway) north

Suggested alternate routes from the west:
I-490 eastbound to I-77 northbound
State Route 2 (Cleveland Memorial Shoreway) eastbound
State Route 176 (Jennings Freeway) south to I-480 eastbound to I-271 north
W. 25th Street to the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge
W. 25th Street to the Detroit-Superior Bridge