Expect Innerbelt Bridge construction delays downtown Cleveland at Carnegie and Ontario

CLEVELAND - If you’re planning to drive in downtown Cleveland for the next month expect delays in some areas.

The Ohio Department of Transportation said there will likely be delays near the intersection of Ontario Street and Carnegie Avenue from Friday, April 6 through May 12.

“There will be fewer lanes coming inbound on Ontario and heading east and westbound on Carnegie so through the intersection, you're going to be restricted and constrained to a few lanes than you're used to," said Jocelyn Clemings, a spokesperson for ODOT.

The construction is part of the Innerbelt Bridge project.

When it's complete ODOT said a new lane will be added on Ontario to connect with the new Innerbelt Bridge heading west on 90. An existing grass island will be removed. A new pedestrian area will be changed to make it easier to get through on foot.

Why is this being done? ODOT said they want to make this area easier to maneuver for drivers. They want it to be safer too. Each day 40,000 to 60,000 vehicles pass through here. And they said from 2008 to 2010 there were 153 crashes near this intersection. One-third of those resulted in injuries.