Track Maintenance and Major Highway Ramp Closures Impact Friday Commute

Morning Commute Overview

Commuters in Cleveland should prepare for a mix of construction-related delays and transit service adjustments this Friday, February 13, 2026. While weather conditions remain clear and sunny, several key infrastructure projects are reaching critical phases, affecting both major highway arteries and the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) rail lines. Traffic is currently moving at steady speeds on the main lanes of I-90 and I-71, but significant bottlenecks are reported at interchange ramps.

Major Highway and Roadwork Alerts

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) District 12 has confirmed several active closures that are likely to impact the morning and afternoon rush hours:

• I-480 Eastbound: The ramp from West 7th Street southbound to I-480 eastbound remains closed for ongoing bridge and pavement construction. Drivers are encouraged to use State Road or Jennings Freeway as alternates.
• I-77 Southbound: The entrance ramp from Rockside Road to I-77 southbound is currently closed for reconstruction. Significant delays are expected near Independence during peak hours.
• Dead Man's Curve (I-90/OH-2): Ramps to OH-2 westbound at the Dead Man's Curve interchange are restricted. This long-term safety project continues to necessitate lower speeds and lane shifts through the downtown curve.
• Local Project Advisory: Preliminary work for the Enbridge Gas pipeline replacement near East 91st Street is resulting in minor lane shifts, though full construction is slated to begin early next week.

Public Transit: RTA Service Impacts

The Greater Cleveland RTA is reporting several alerts that will specifically affect rail and bus commuters today:

• Red Line Maintenance: Today marks the final day of the scheduled track maintenance week (Feb 7–13). Riders traveling between the Airport and Windermere should anticipate minor delays as crews finalize work on the line.
• Route 18 (West 98 - Garfield): Delays continue due to the Warner Road construction project. Buses are following localized reroutes in the affected area.
• Station Alerts: The elevator at the Louis Stokes-Windermere Station remains out of service, requiring passengers with mobility needs to utilize alternative boarding points.

Weather and Airport Transit

Current temperatures are holding at approximately 20°F with a projected high of 37°F. Although the chance of snow is near zero during daylight hours, the arctic air mass may create localized slick spots on bridges and overpasses due to overnight frost. At Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE), TSA wait times are currently under 15 minutes at the central checkpoint, making for a smooth transition for those utilizing the RTA Red Line to catch morning flights.