I-490 Closure Extended Due To Delay On Opportunity Corridor

CLEVELAND — Due to delays on the Opportunity Corridor project, part of I-490 will remain closed until Nov. 1, 2021.

Crews shut down I-490, between I-77 and E. 55th Street, to work on the Opportunity Corridor project, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) said. However, a change to the slope where I-490/Opportunity Boulevard passes under E. 55th Street will require additional work on the project.

In a statement, ODOT said a more gradual slope (also called a grade) would be safer for drivers.

The change in work plans will cost $4.6 million and result in approximately six additional months of work. ODOT these delays should not halt the overall project from being completed by summer 2022.

I-490 was originally slated to open in late May 2021. Traffic on I-490 would have only had access to E. 55th Street via a new quadrant roadway. However ODOT became concerned about pedestrian safety and traffic safety along E. 55th, leading to the delay.

Kokosing Construction Company is handling the design and build on the final section of the Opportunity Corridor. The company submitted a bid of nearly $151 million.

ODOT released an aerial video discussing what has already been accomplished on the Opportunity Corridor project, and what is yet to come.