CLEVELAND, OH — The Port of Cleveland is proud to announce a significant milestone in the ongoing Irishtown Bend Hill Stabilization Project. On July 9, 2025, the final pipe pile — number 203 — was successfully installed, marking the completion of a critical phase in securing one of Cleveland’s most unstable riverfront hillsides.

For decades, the Irishtown Bend hillside has posed a serious threat to the Cuyahoga River’s navigational channel and to the many industries and jobs that rely on it. Problems with the hillside have been documented for over 40 years, with movement accelerating in recent years. A 2019 inspection by the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District revealed significant hillside displacement over a six-month period, underscoring the urgent need for action.

Since 2010, the Port of Cleveland, as the local sponsor for Cleveland Harbor and the Cuyahoga River Federal Navigation Channel, has been working in collaboration with city leaders, economic stakeholders, and river-dependent industries to develop and implement a long-term stabilization strategy. The $65 million stabilization effort was made possible through a combination of state capital funding, local support, and federal coordination.

The bulkhead wall — a vital component of the stabilization system — is composed of pipe piles, sheet metal panels, hillside anchors set at 45-degree angles, and stone backfill. The completion of pipe pile driving represents a monumental achievement in the project’s timeline. Approximately 75% of the hillside anchors have also been installed, with crews working day and night for several months to safely reach this point.

“This milestone is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our contractors, engineers, and project teams who have worked tirelessly to protect Cleveland’s working waterfront and the businesses that depend on it,” said Linda Sternheimer, Senior VP of Urban Planning  and Engagement, for the Port of Cleveland. “Stabilizing Irishtown Bend is vital not only for maintaining maritime traffic on the Cuyahoga River but for ensuring the economic security of thousands of local jobs.”

The stabilization project protects the river channel that is essential for industry leaders like Cleveland-Cliffs, one of the most productive steelmaking facilities in the world, and dozens of other businesses that rely on marine shipping access to receive raw materials and move goods.

As the Port celebrates this significant step, work continues to complete the remaining anchors and other stabilization components.

The Irishtown Bend hillside stretches from West 25th Street between the Superior Viaduct and Columbus Road and is a central focus of ongoing riverfront redevelopment and green space planning efforts for the city.

About the Port of Cleveland
The Port of Cleveland drives job creation and economic vitality in Northeast Ohio by connecting the region to global markets through its maritime operations, development finance initiatives, and waterfront infrastructure projects.

For more information, please contact:
Kierra Cotton

216-377-1343

Kierra.Cotton@portofcleveland.com