The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Perk Company Inc. have completed “pre-construction” work and will today implement a long-term work zone on the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge in order to make improvements to the span.

On June 11, crews closed one outbound (westbound) lane on the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge. One westbound and two eastbound lanes will remain open for motorists. Pedestrian traffic will be maintained via a pedestrian detour on the south side of the bridge. This configuration will remain in effect through the 2012 construction season.

A collaboration between ODOT, city of Cleveland officials, Cuyahoga County officials and local cycling advocates, the $4.5 million project will make the bridge a safer, more family friendly and convenient option for cyclists and pedestrians wishing to travel across the Cuyahoga River valley.

Crews will construct an improved, 14.5 ft. (4.4 m) multi-use path on the north side of the structure to capture views of downtown Cleveland. A concrete barrier will be constructed between the path and traffic, to enhance the experience for pedestrians and novice cyclists — and provide additional safety. Advanced cyclists will be advised to “share the road” with motorists in either direction using pavement markings called “sharrows” and signage along the route.

In addition to the improvements noted above, crews will also install new pedestrian lighting and upgrade the existing street lighting. New lighting fixtures will be in keeping with the historic character of the bridge. Perhaps one of the most unique aspects of the project, crews will also install lighting to highlight the iconic “Guardians of Traffic” — the sandstone art deco pylons which stand watch over each end of the structure.

In coordination with the Innerbelt Bridge project team, additional improvements will be made along the triangular “island” in the northwest corner of the Carnegie and Ontario intersection. Lanes in this area are being reconfigured and reclaimed space will be repurposed into a bike and pedestrian friendly promenade.

Bikeway improvements are scheduled to be complete during the fall/winter of 2012, with minor operations continuing into the spring of 2013.

For more information, visit www.BuckeyeTraffic.org/HopeMemorialBridge.

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