ODOT and Local Officials Break Ground on the I-90 Central Interchange Project

Today officials from the Ohio Department of Transportation, city of Cleveland, and Cuyahoga County held a groundbreaking to signify the start of the I-90 Central Interchange Project in downtown Cleveland. This $328 million project will replace aging pavement and bridge structures originally built in the 1960's and modernize a critical transportation corridor in downtown Cleveland.

"This is a great day for northeast Ohio as we break ground on a project that will improve transportation for all users," said John Picuri, P.E., P.S. District 12 Deputy Director. "This milestone is the result of strong collaboration among ODOT, city, and county partners, ensuring the infrastructure upgrades are not only functional but also visually appealing and thoughtfully designed to reflect the character of the community."

The project includes the complete pavement replacement of I-90 between E.9th St. and Carnegie Ave. and the replacement of multiple bridges on and over I-90, including:

• I-90 west ramp to I-77 south
• I-90 over W. 14th Street
• E. 22nd St. over I-90
• Carnegie Ave. over I-90

Improvements to the E. 22nd St. bridge will include multimodal connections that better support active transportation connections between the Campus District and downtown communities.

Rendering of the new East 22nd Street bridge over I-90 which includes a multi-use path, widened sidewalks, planters and local art.

The project also includes aesthetic improvements on I-90 to enhance the visual character of the corridor.

Rendering of enhanced aesthetic improvements on I-90 looking north towards East 22nd Street that
shows the I-77 north ramp entering on the right.

Work scheduled for 2026 includes:

• Pavement work on I-90, I-77, E. 14th St., E. 22nd St., Carnegie Ave., Cedar Ave., Central Ave., and Community College Ave.
• Removal of the Cedar Ave. bridge over I-90 and the Community College Ave. bridge over E. 14th St.
• The start of reconstruction work on the bridge from I-90 westbound to I-77 southbound

This work will require various lane restrictions and closures, with start dates to be announced in the future. The following ramps, bridges, and roadways will close in 2026:

• I-77 northbound exits to E. 14th St./E. 22nd St. will be closed for five months.
• E. 14th St. between Orange Ave. and Carnegie Ave. will be closed for eight months.
• Community College Ave. between E. 14th St. and E. 22nd St. will be closed for three months.
• E. 22nd St. between Carnegie Ave. and Central Ave. will be closed for one year.
• Cedar Ave. between E. 28th St. and E. 22nd St. will be closed for one year.
• Full weekend closures of I-90 to perform bridge demolition work.

Motorists can stay informed about traffic impacts by visiting transportation.ohio.gov/CLEtraffic or downloading the OHGO app. The project is estimated to be completed in the summer of 2032.

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The I-90 Central Interchange project plays a vital role in the larger Cleveland Innerbelt Modernization Plan, which is focused on improving safety, reducing congestion and traffic delays, and modernizing interstate travel along I-71, I-77 and I-90 through downtown Cleveland.