How the Port of Cleveland and ODOT Are Working Together to Strengthen Cleveland’s Lakefront

The future of Cleveland’s east side lakefront is taking shape through a project that brings together environmental restoration, transportation infrastructure and economic development. At the center of that work is the Cleveland Harbor Eastern Embayment Resilience Strategy, or CHEERS, a Port of Cleveland-led effort to safely reuse dredged material from the Cuyahoga River to create nearly 100 acres of new parkland, trails and protected habitats along Cleveland’s east side Lake Erie shoreline.

A key partner in that effort has been the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), which has been involved since CHEERS was first being planned in 2019.

“ODOT has been a CHEERS project partner since the beginning of the planning study in 2019, recognizing early on that the project could help alleviate wave action problems on this section of Interstate 90 which are particularly troublesome in winter months due to roadway icing,”  said Randy Lane, ODOT project manager. “ODOT committed $1,970,000 for initial CHEERS design and has awarded $6,500,000 in grants for future construction of the EAP, a total of $8,740,000, and been an active participant in project planning meetings over the past 7 years.”

For ODOT, the project represents an opportunity to address a transportation challenge while also supporting the Port’s work to manage dredged material from the Cuyahoga River. The CHEERS project will help protect Interstate 90 from wave action while providing space for material that is essential to maintaining navigation in the industrial river valley.

“The CHEERS project will strengthen the transportation infrastructure in Northeast Ohio by protecting Interstate 90 from wave action events and providing important dredge material storage to ensure that shipping cargo can continue to navigate the industrial Cuyahoga River valley,” Lane said.

The Early Action Project, or EAP, is an important first step. It is expected to reduce wave action along I-90, with the full CHEERS project designed to provide a long-term solution.

“The CHEERS Early Action Project is expected to mitigate wave action on Interstate 90, which is troublesome in the winter months. The full CHEERS project is expected to completely solve wave action issues on this section of Interstate 90,” Lane said.

The partnership also supports goals outlined in ODOT’s Ohio Maritime Plan, including continued investment in Ohio’s ports and maritime infrastructure, improved safety and environmental sustainability, and better coordination between transportation, economic development and port activity.

That alignment has helped make ODOT an important partner as the Port continues to move CHEERS forward. The Port is grateful for ODOT’s financial investment, technical collaboration and continued participation throughout the project’s planning and development.

“ODOT appreciates the Port of Cleveland’s regional commitment and their pro-active approach to solve Cuyahoga River dredge material management challenges in a way that has multiple beneficial uses,” Lane said. “The Port’s leadership, collaboration, and investment in critical infrastructure make them an essential stakeholder in strengthening the region’s mobility and economic competitiveness.”

CHEERS demonstrates what is possible when regional partners work together to address infrastructure needs while creating new opportunities for the community. Through the collaboration between the Port and ODOT, Cleveland’s east lakefront is moving closer to a future that is more resilient, connected and accessible.

Lane summed up the partnership simply: “A highly effective and collaborative partnership that unites distinct organizations around a common vision, helping transform Cleveland’s east lakefront into a vibrant destination.”