Starting tomorrow, Monday, August 10, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is set to close the Hudson Street bridge spanning I-71 for a period of two-and-a-half months (approximately 75 days). Beginning with Crew SC's home contest against New York City FC on Wednesday, August 19, supporters coming to MAPFRE Stadium are advised to allow extra drive time as well as utilize the 17th Avenue exit (exit #111). The following details are important to note leading into the bridge closure.
ODOT is closing the 56-year-old bridge in order to remove it and construct a similarly-designed bridge. The adjacent intersections are also slated to be upgraded with sidewalks and curbing. During the closure, all traffic will be prohibited from crossing the bridge, including vehicles and pedestrians.
Immediately before and after Crew SC matches at MAPFRE Stadium, all lanes of I-71 will be open during the project in order to lessen the amount of traffic congestion in the area. During certain overnight hours, I-71 will be closed and vehicles will be routed around using the on- and off-ramps to maintain traffic flow.
At least four Crew SC matches are scheduled to be impacted by the closure, beginning with the Black & Gold's next home match on Wednesday, August 19 against NYCFC and running through Crew SC's contest on Saturday, September 26 against Portland Timbers FC. ODOT has advised that the bridge is scheduled to reopen under the best-case scenario by Thursday, October 15; under the worst-case scenario, the bridge could reopen on Monday, October 26, which would also affect Crew SC's regular-season home finale on Sunday, October 25 against D.C. United.
