CLEVELAND — The opening of I-490 between I-77 and East 55th Street will be delayed as the Ohio Department of Transportation announced Monday that additional work and safety measures are required before it can reopen to traffic.
I-490 will reopen on Nov. 1, 2021, ODOT said. It was originally set to open in late May 2021.
ODOT requested a change to the grade where I-490/Opportunity Boulevard passes under East 55th Street. While the original plans met the minimum standards, ODOT preferred a more gradual slope to make the roads safer for everyone.
This change added approximately six months of work and $4.6 million to the project.
Also, unforeseen utility relocation delays impacted the project’s schedule.
ODOT said the construction and utility changes will not impact the overall completion of the project in summer 2022.
ODOT said the purpose of the Opportunity Corridor Project is to improve transportation and economic development in the historically under-served part of Cleveland known as the “Forgotten Triangle” located within the City of Cleveland, between I-490/I-77 and University Circle.
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