Cleveland Inner Belt Bridge Rehabilitation Project

Project Date: 2014 – 2015

This project was the first phase of a nine phase Cleveland Innerbelt Modernization Plan focused on improving safety, reducing congestion and traffic delays, and modernizing interstate travel along I-71, I-77 and I-90 through Downtown Cleveland.

This first phase, called Cleveland Contract Group 1 (CCG 1) included the design and construction of a new bridge over the Cuyahoga River Valley on I-90 that accommodates six (6) lanes of bi-directional traffic and five (5) lanes of traffic westbound through traffic following future Innerbelt Construction Contracts. This included approach pavement and structures.

The Project also included: bridge deck replacement and bridge rehabilitations for I-90 eastbound and westbound mainline and ramp bridges over E.14th Street, and I-90 eastbound and westbound mainline over I-77 ramps to/from I-90 (E-8 and E-10); reconstruction of westbound I-90 entrance ramps and associated structures from E.14th Street, E.9th Street and Ontario Avenue in the Central Business District; Reconstruction of Ontario Avenue, Carnegie Avenue and ramp intersection and associated structures; construction of new sections of E.9th Street, Broadway Avenue and E.14th Street and associated structures; replacing the deck of the existing I-71 southbound bridge over Starkweather Avenue; replacing the deck of the existing I-90 westbound bridge over Starkweather Avenue; modifying and replacing the deck of the existing I-90 westbound bridge over Kenilworth Avenue; reconstruction of Commercial Road and Central Viaduct Way and the Fire Station and Museum Area; construction of a new E. 9th Street Alignment; major earthwork grading of the West Slope region between Abbey Avenue and the Cuyahoga River; reconstruction of the I-90 exit to Abbey Avenue and Fairfield Avenue, including construction of W.14th Street extension; reconstruction of bulkheads along the Cuyahoga River; removal of sections of University Avenue; closure and removal of the I-77 northbound to the I-90 westbound ramp, and I-90 eastbound to the I-77 southbound ramp; and all associated items, including but not limited to, demolitions, removals, earthwork, pavements, landscaping, sidewalks, drainage facilities, utilities, waterlines, walls, traffic control, lighting and aesthetic enhancements for the completion of the facility.

TIS Responsibilities for the Cleveland Inner Belt Bridge Rehabilitation

True Inspection Services, LLC provided coatings inspection, construction inspection, record keeping and documentation for this bridge expansion project.

Peter Cheetham

Inspector

Mr. Cheetham performed quality assurance inspection for various aspects of the construction of the Cleveland Innerbelt bridge (WB I-90) and associated roadway.  Monitored excavation, placement of drainage structures and pipes, grading, sub-base placement, and asphalt and Portland cement concrete paving.  Mr. Cheetham also monitored installation of poured concrete curbs, reclaimed stone pavers, and erosion control mats.  He spent three weeks at a steel plant in Williamsport, PA inspecting steel blast and prime coat of inorganic zinc paint.  Also monitored bolt tests and inspected bolted connections for handrail and other steel members installed at the plant.  Completed daily reports and provided photographic documentation of work inspected.

Barry Couts, Jr

Coatings Inspector

Mr. Couts served as a Quality Oversight Inspector/Technician for the ODOT Quality Assurance team. His duties included verification of the preparation of structure surfaces and the application of coatings for the structures and related components. An Independent Quality Firm (IQF) hired by the design build team was responsible for the main coating inspection duties.  Mr. Couts was responsible for inspecting approximately 10% of the bridge and ensuring that the Department’s interests were protected in this project.