New Innerbelt Bridge to Connect, Improve Communities
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May 2, 2011New Innerbelt Bridge to Connect, Improve Communities
By Kevin FreemanCLEVELAND— Construction on the largest transportation improvement project in Ohio’s history has officially begun.
Work actually began earlier this year on the new Innerbelt Bridge that will cross the Cuyahoga River downtown, but a ceremonious groundbreaking was held Monday afternoon.
“This is fantastic…there will be more infrastructure for northeast Ohio, more infrastructure for the City of Cleveland, it’s extremely important. If you take infrastructure and combine it with business opportunities, we can land some big fish,” said Ohio Governor John Kasich.
Governor Kasich says a better bridge will make the area more attractive to businesses.
“It’s a major bridge on Interstate 90 and many people forget it’s the terminus of I-71 and I-77 and we forget about that fact, so it’s important to the movement of goods, not only here, but throughout the United States of America,” said former U.S. Senator George Voinovich.
Some drivers fear traffic headaches during the construction, but agree a new bridge is long overdue.
“We need a new bridge around here, it’s probably gonna hold up alot of traffic if you ask me, but the sooner, the better,” said motorist Arlon Burns.
“I am excited about it, I live right across the bridge, so it’s exciting to see what happens,” said motorist Colleen Berges.
Local leaders say the new Innerbelt bridge will help Clevelanders be more connected.
“It really connects this region to downtown Cleveland,” said Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson.
“And it’s going to be a bridge to a greater Cuyahoga County,” said County Executive Ed FitzGerald.
The bridge will be named in honor of former Ohio senator, governor and Cleveland mayor George Voinovich.
“I told George the bill is through the House, it’s over in the Senate. I’m thinking I’m probably gonna sign it,” Gov. Kasich joked as attendees responded with laughter.
“The fact that I’ve been honored by the legislature in naming this bridge, it makes me feel very, very good, it really does,” said Voinovich.
The new bridge is expected to be finished in 2013 and cost more than $287 million. After it’s completed, the current span will be torn down and another bridge built in its place.