Construction on Ohio's busiest bridge will start two years ahead of schedule.
The Interstate 480 Valley View Bridge is nearly 40 years old and in need of major repairs including a deck replacement, says Ohio Department Of Transportation director Jerry Wray.
He says by moving this project up on the priority list, it isn't delaying other construction plans and will save taxpayers nearly $18 million.
"We will do short term financing,” said Wray. “And by doing that we would take advantage of low interest rates number one and number 2 we would avoid inflation rates because a bridge like this because of the steel and the materials involved inflation is five percent every year."
Construction of a new four lane bridge will begin next year in the median of the bridge. Once complete, work on the existing bridge will begin. When the $281 million project is complete in 2023, the bridge will be six lanes in both directions.
The Interstate 480 Valley View Bridge carries an estimated 180,000 vehicles across the Cuyahoga River daily. The 4,100 foot twin-bridge structure opened in 1977.