New Pedestrian Bridge Proposed for Lorain Avenue
The Cleveland Clinic Foundation is planning to construct an overhead pedestrian bridge across Lorain Avenue to connect its existing hospital with new medical office, cancer center, and parking garage buildings. To make this possible, an emergency ordinance, file number 768-2026, would authorize the Director of Capital Projects to enter into a maintenance, inspection, and repair agreement with the foundation and issue a permit for the bridge to encroach upon the public right-of-way.
What's in the file
The ordinance and its attached documents authorize the following:
- The issuance of an encroachment permit to the Cleveland Clinic Foundation to construct, install, use, and maintain an overhead pedestrian bridge.
- An agreement between the Director of Capital Projects and the foundation covering the maintenance, inspection, and repair of the structure.
- The creation of a pedestrian bridge easement situated within the City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County, specifically affecting parts of Lorain Avenue and land formerly owned by the city, as shown in the Encroachment Map.
According to the CCF pedestrian bridge presentation, the bridge is intended to provide "direct and safe pedestrian access across Lorain Avenue for patients and caregivers" moving between the new facilities and the existing hospital. Renderings in the presentation show the proposed bridge as a connection point near a large, multi-level structure consisting of a parking garage and a cancer center.
Who may be affected
- Cleveland Clinic Foundation patients and caregivers, who would use the bridge for hospital access.
- The City of Cleveland Department of Capital Projects, which would enter into the maintenance and inspection agreement.
- The public right-of-way along Lorain Avenue, which will be subject to the bridge encroachment.
Status and timeline
- 2026-07-09: The emergency ordinance was introduced to City Council.
- 2026-08-19: The ordinance passed.
Residents can verify the details of this project by reviewing the official record for File No. 768-2026.
Source record
- File
- 768-2026
- Type
- Emergency Ordinance
- Status
- Passed
- Committee
- City Council
- Introduced
- July 8, 2026
Official documents
- 768-2026-Encro w Cleveland Clinic for pedestrian bridge over Lorain Ave
- 768-2026-Legislative Summary CCF Ped Bridge
- 768-2026-Encroachment Map Pedestrian Bridge Easement - 2026.05.29 - Signed
- 768-2026 CCF pedestrian bridge PP presentation
- FINAL VERSION City Record August 28, 2026 Page 15