CLEVELAND, Ohio — Interstate 90 will shut completely in both directions through downtown Cleveland on two November weekends, and every driver crossing the city — including the long-haul trucks that use I-90 as a coast-to-coast freight route — will be pushed onto a long southern detour, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has announced.
Source: News 5 Cleveland
The closed section runs between Central Avenue and just east of Carnegie Avenue, where I-90 meets I-77 on the southeast edge of downtown. The first closure runs from 9 p.m. on Friday, November 13 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, November 14 — about 20 hours. The second, longer closure runs from 8 p.m. on Friday, November 20 to 6 a.m. on Monday, November 23 — about 58 hours, ending just as Thanksgiving week begins.
Source: Spectrum News 1 / ODOT District 12
The two closure weekends at a glance
The ramp from I-77 north to I-90 east will also be closed during both weekends. Drivers who normally use that ramp are directed to stay on I-77 north to Woodland Avenue, then follow East 30th Street and Prospect Avenue to rejoin I-90, News 5 Cleveland reported.
The detours: a long loop south of downtown
Eastbound through-traffic is sent south on I-71 and State Route 176 to I-480 east, then north on I-271 back to I-90 east — a loop that runs well south of downtown, so drivers should allow substantial extra time. Westbound, News 5 lists the reverse loop: I-271 south to I-480 west, then State Route 176 north to I-90 west. Spectrum News 1 lists the first westbound step as I-71 south instead; ODOT advises drivers to follow the posted detour signs on the day, as the two published routes differ on that first step.
Source: News 5 Cleveland
For Punjabi truckers and other freight drivers running I-90 between Chicago, Cleveland, Buffalo and the East Coast, the practical advice is simple: plan loads so the truck is not crossing downtown Cleveland during either window, or build the I-480/I-271 loop and its extra time into the trip in advance. The second closure ends at 6 a.m. on Monday, November 23, at the start of one of the busiest travel and freight weeks of the year.
Why the highway is closing
Crews will demolish the East 22nd Street and Cedar Avenue bridges over I-90. Both bridges were closed to traffic on November 1. The Cedar Avenue bridge is being removed permanently, while the East 22nd Street bridge will be rebuilt and widened, with more room for walking and cycling, as part of a redesign meant to better connect the Campus District with downtown.
The demolition is part of the $328 million I-90 Central Interchange Project, run by ODOT with the City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. The project rebuilds the I-90 corridor between East 9th Street and Carnegie Avenue: the pavement is being fully replaced, and several bridges will be replaced, including Carnegie Avenue over I-90, the I-90 west ramp to I-77 south and I-90 over West 14th Street. The Cedar Avenue bridge and the Community College Avenue bridge over East 14th Street will be removed.
ODOT says the Central Interchange Project is a key segment of the Cleveland Innerbelt Modernization Plan, covering about five miles across the I-71, I-77 and I-90 corridors to address congestion, outdated design and access problems. Full completion is projected for summer 2032.
"This is a great day for northeast Ohio as we break ground on a project that will improve transportation for all users," ODOT District 12 deputy director John Picuri said at the project's groundbreaking, crediting collaboration among ODOT, city and county partners.
What happens next
These are only the first of 18 full closures of I-90 expected through the project area, ODOT said in the news release reported by Spectrum News — every one of them for public safety during demolition and construction, so more closed weekends are coming over the life of the project. Later closures will cover the replacement of the Carnegie Avenue bridge and a new bridge carrying the I-90 west to I-77 south ramp; no dates have been announced for those yet. Around the interchange, drivers will also face longer local closures, including the I-77 northbound exits to East 14th and East 22nd Streets for about five months and a year-long closure of East 22nd Street between Carnegie and Central Avenues. All of the work is weather-dependent and subject to change, ODOT notes — check the District 12 traffic advisories before either weekend.