​I-480 Valley View bridge deck replacement set to begin



GARFIELD HEIGHTS (Thursday, November 30, 2017) - The I-480 Valley View bridges sit high above the Cuyahoga River Valley at 4,155 feet long with 180,000 vehicles a day during peak travel times. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) will be replacing the bridge decks – also known as the driving surface – on both bridges. The bridge decks are more than 40 years old and have reached the end of their useful lives.

To maintain the current four-lanes in each direction, a new bridge will be built between the two existing bridges. This major work is expected to begin in spring 2018, however motorists traveling across the bridges won’t likely see much of the work as it will take place below the existing bridges.

The following timeline is preliminary and subject to change:

In spring 2019, steel erection for the new bridge will begin and all four lanes on both the east and westbound bridges will be shifted to the right to accommodate construction equipment. Traffic will remain in this configuration through fall 2020.

In fall 2020, all traffic on the eastbound Valley View bridge will be shifted onto the new bridge as crews work to replace that bridge deck. Eastbound motorists will still be able to exit at Transportation Blvd. in this configuration.

In fall 2021, all traffic on the westbound Valley View bridge will be shifted onto the new bridge as crews work to replace that bridge deck. Westbound motorists will be able to access I-77 north or southbound in this configuration.

Upon completion of the westbound bridge deck in fall 2022, the new bridge will remain in operation and carry two lanes in each direction. The two westbound lanes on the new bridge will bypass the I-77 interchange for those motorists wanting to continue on I-480. In the eastbound direction, the two lanes on the new bridge will by-pass the Transportation Blvd. exit.

Bridge painting operations will continue on all three bridges through summer 2024 with minimal impacts to traffic.

Minor operations on the current Valley View bridge will begin on Monday, December 4 and take place overnight for approximately eight weeks. Overnight Monday through Friday, crews will close one lane on I-480 east and/or westbound from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Work will include increasing the height of the existing fence on both bridges by 3’ to improve safety.

This design-build project was awarded to Walsh Construction Company for $227,774,080 in October 2017. All work is expected to be complete in summer 2024.

For more information contact: