Ohio Department of Transportation - Cleveland Innerbelt Project Presentation

Cleveland City Planning Commission Meeting - January 19, 2007

Prepared as a Public Service by: Ed Hauser

11125 Lake Avenue #402 - Cleveland, Ohio 44102

Ohio's Citizens and Taxpayers Deserve a Valid Engineering and Economic Impact Study

In November 2005, ODOT stated that its "Preferred Alternative" was the Northern Bridge Alignment. However, ODOT never publicly stated the true cost of this alternative by failing to include the cost to replace the existing Innerbelt Bridge with a new eastbound bridge in 21 years. As a public service, I have done the arithmetic for them. The cost to replace the existing bridge in 21 years was about $1.5 billion, with a total cost of $2 billion for ODOT's "Preferred Alternative." These are the most accurate and only calculations until ODOT's engineers submit their calculations.

Therefore, to restore the public's trust and confidence on how our tax dollars are spent, I request:

ELECTED PUBLIC OFFICIALS TO DEMAND THAT ODOT CONDUCT A VALID ENGINEERING STUDY AND ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY TO COMPARE THE COSTS, FEASIBILITY, AND TRAFFIC INTERRUPTIONS FOR THE NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN BRIDGE ALIGNMENT ALTERNATIVES.

FUTURE EASTBOUND BRIDGE = $1,493,400,000 ~or~ $1.5 BILLION (Estimated cost - 21 years)

Calculations Assuming:

Average Inflation Rate = 13.3% (or 0.133) per year (2003-2006)

Average Inflation Rate = 40% over 3 years = 0.40/3 = 0.133 = 13.3% per year

Future Westbound Bridge = $ 393,000,000 (used as a base cost in 2007)

Average Inflation/Year = $ 393,000,000 * 0.133 = $ 52,400,000

Inflation over 21 years = $ 52,400,000 * 21 Years = $ 1,100,400,000 or about $ 1.1 Billion

Future Eastbound Bridge = $ 393,000,000 + [($ 393,000,000 * Inflation Rate) * 21 Years]

= $ 393,000,000 + [($ 52,400,000)* 21 years]

= $ 393,000,000 + $ 1,100,400,000

= $ 1,493,400,000 or about $ 1.5 Billion (Calculated by Ed Hauser)

ODOT'S INNERBELT BRIDGE PROPOSAL TOTAL COST $2,008,400,000 ~or~ $2 BILLION

Future Westbound Bridge + $ 393,000,000 (Most recent estimate)

Existing Eastbound Bridge + $ 122,000,000 (Repair and maintenance estimate over 20 years)

Future Eastbound Bridge + $ 1,493,400,000 (Calculated estimate by Ed Hauser)

_______________________________________

GRAND TOTAL $ 2,008,400,000 or $ 2.0 BILLION (Calculated by Ed Hauser)

Sources:

ODOT Memo, October 13, 2006- Cleveland Innerbelt Issues, no author:

"ODOT and other state DOT's have been rocked by inflation. ODOT prices have increased nearly 40 percent in three years, driving up the cost of the Innerbelt and other projects."

ODOT Memo, October 31, 2006- Existing Central Viaduct Bridge, Tim Keller, Administrator, Structural Engineering:

"The estimated cost of the 20yr. rehabilitation project is $122 M compared to $263 M for the 50 year rehabilitation."

ODOT Email, November 3, 2006- Cleveland Innerbelt-Central Viaduct-CCG3-NEW INFORMTION, Craig Hebebrand:

"…HOWEVER, it is recommended that the replacement of the existing bridge, with a second new bridge, in year 21, be fully considered in ODOT's long range plan. I believe that this compromise satisfies all interests and addresses all concerns."

The Plain Dealer, January 7, 2007- Inner Belt bridge hit with delay, higher cost, by Sarah Hollander:

"The higher price tag - now $393 million instead of October's $334 million - can be partially blamed on inflation caused by the delay… ODOT originally budgeted $297 million for the bridge."