VALLEY VIEW, Ohio — Sunday marked a milestone in one of the largest projects in ODOT history.
After two years, a new I-480 Valley View bridge opened with additional eastbound lanes.
“We erected half this bridge on land instead of 212 feet in the air, which was a great time-saver, safety saver,” Project Manager Scott Febus said.
The 40-year-old bridge handles roughly 180,000 vehicles per day and is the busiest bridge in Ohio. The $280 million project will establish six lanes of traffic in both directions by late 2023.
On Sunday, four eastbound lanes opened.
“We have shifted all the 480 eastbound traffic onto the new bridge,” said Amanda McFarland, ODOT. “If you’re coming from I-77 north or southbound to 480 eastbound, you’re going to notice that both of those ramps merge into one lane.”
McFarland believes the changes will ease traffic flow, and that additional lanes will make the corridor safer.
Up to 800 workers have been on it the past two years, day and night, often close to traffic. Despite the pandemic, they remained on schedule.
This weekend, Governor Mike DeWine extended his personal congratulations.
“The bridge is a major accomplishment and a valuable asset to the region,” Governor DeWine said.
All eastbound lanes are scheduled to be completed by Fall 2021. All westbound lanes should be finished by Fall 2023.
Yet change comes with growing pains.
ODOT advises drivers to give themselves extra time this week, since others may be moving slower as they get used to the new lanes.