Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), city of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County have begun work on the I-90 Central Interchange project following a groundbreaking ceremony.

The infrastructure initiative, which is valued at $328m, aims to overhaul key elements of the I-90 corridor between East 9th Street and Carnegie Avenue.

The project entails the complete replacement of pavement along the specified stretch of I-90 and the replacement of several bridges integral to the area’s transport network.

Bridges to be replaced include the I-90 west ramp to I-77 south, the section of I-90 over West 14th Street, East 22nd Street over I-90 and Carnegie Avenue over I-90.

The project will also see the removal of the Cedar Avenue bridge over I-90 and the Community College Avenue bridge over East 14th Street.

The redesign of the East 22nd Street bridge will incorporate infrastructure for active transportation connecting the Campus District to downtown communities.

The project is scheduled to introduce significant road and ramp closures as early as 2026.

Closures will affect the I-77 northbound exits to East 14th Street and East 22nd Street for five months, and East 14th Street between Orange Avenue and Carnegie Avenue for eight months.

Community College Avenue between East 14th and East 22nd Streets will be closed for three months. East 22nd Street between Carnegie Avenue and Central Avenue will be closed for a year, as will Cedar Avenue between East 28th and East 22nd Streets.

Weekend closures on I-90 will facilitate bridge demolition works.

ODOT states that the I-90 Central Interchange project forms a key segment of the Cleveland Innerbelt Modernisation Plan, which addresses safety, traffic flow and interstate mobility along the I-71, I-77 and I-90 corridors.

This larger plan includes both rehabilitation and reconstruction across approximately five miles of roadway, targeting issues of congestion, outdated design, and access limitations.

ODOT District 12 deputy director John Picuri said: “This is a great day for northeast Ohio as we break ground on a project that will improve transportation for all users.

“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.”

Minor preliminary works began earlier this year on East 14th Street with minimal disruption to traffic.

Further lane restrictions and changes to traffic patterns are anticipated throughout the duration of the project.

The full completion of the I-90 Central Interchange is projected for summer 2032.