I-90 Lane Restrictions and I-77 Bridge Work Impact Thursday Commute

Winter Weather and Lane Restrictions Impact Morning Drive

Commuters in Cleveland are facing a cold and potentially slick start to the morning this Thursday, February 12, 2026. Temperatures are hovering in the high 20s with lake effect snow developing in parts of the region. While the snowfall is light, the sub-freezing conditions mean that bridge decks and overpasses may be icy. Drivers are advised to allow for extra following distance, particularly on major interchanges where construction barriers have narrowed the available shoulder space.

Major Artery Construction and Ramp Closures

Several long-term infrastructure projects continue to affect traffic flow across the Greater Cleveland area. On the west side, I-90 remains a primary congestion point. Eastbound lanes between Hilliard Boulevard and Alger Road are reduced to three lanes for ongoing pavement replacement. Additionally, various lane shifts and short-duration ramp closures are in effect on I-90 between West Boulevard and Hilliard Boulevard as part of a major rehabilitation project scheduled to continue through 2028.

In the southern suburbs, the I-77 and Wallings Road bridge replacement project is significantly impacting local travel. The Wallings Road bridge over I-77 is closed, and the southbound entrance and exit ramps at this interchange remain shut down. Commuters who normally use this exit should continue using the detour via Pleasant Valley Road, Brecksville Road, and Broadview Road.

Other notable closures for Thursday include:

• The ramp from Southbound West 7th Street to Eastbound I-480 is closed for construction.
• The ramp from Rockside Road to Southbound I-77 is currently closed.
• The ramp from Southbound West 7th Street to Eastbound I-490 is closed for pavement replacement, with a detour available roughly 100 yards south of the original ramp.
• Lane width reductions are in place on State Route 237 over Snow Road for bridge maintenance.

Public Transit and Airport Alerts

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) reports that 15-minute service has been restored to the Red Line as of earlier this week. However, riders should be aware that track maintenance is ongoing through February 13, which may cause minor localized delays. Additionally, the elevator at the Stokes-Windermere Station remains out of service, requiring passengers needing accessibility accommodations to plan accordingly. Transit riders are also reminded that free Wi-Fi services have been discontinued across the bus and rail fleet as part of 2026 budget adjustments.

For those traveling to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE), construction on the Arrivals level (Lower Roadway) continues to cause congestion. Tunnel rehabilitation work has limited pickups to doors 5, 6, and 7 only. To avoid significant delays, the airport recommends that those picking up passengers use the Departures level (Upper Roadway) instead.

Commuter Tips for a Smoother Ride

Given the combination of active work zones and winter weather, the following tips are recommended for the Thursday morning rush:

• Check for real-time updates on the OHGO platform before departing, as cold temperatures can lead to sudden incidents on the inner-belt.
• If heading to the airport, add at least 15 minutes to your schedule to navigate the roadway detours at the terminal.
• Ensure your vehicle is cleared of all snow and ice to maintain visibility in lake effect bands.