Sewer Project Brings Relief and Frustrations

Koula Markis stands behind her makeshift counter for pickups and curb service at Gus' Diner

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Work on the East 185 Street/Marcella Road Relief Sewer Project is moving along as planned, even during the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic. Wastewater construction projects and other utility work are essential services.

This $15 million Relief Sewer Project will reduce basement flooding in homes and businesses in the Ward 8 area after heavy rainfall, with no fees to property owners.

Many residents and business owners said they are thrilled about the benefits of the sewer project, but admit their patience is being tested by traffic detours, noise and loss of business.

“Before this project started it was common for our basement to flood,” said Koula Makris, who owns Gus’s Diner 185 on East 185 Street with her husband Louie Makris. Recent heavy rains showed no signs of basement flooding, she said.

Makris said she is excited about the new relief sewer, but is nervous about what is next for her business when the intersection in front of her diner closes in a few months to connect local main sewers to the new relief sewer. Gus’s Diner’s business decreased by 30% because of construction, Makris said, and then decreased another 60% when the COVID-19 virus hit. “We stayed alive by doing curb service and pickups, but even with a parking lot out back we are going to be hit again.”  Makris said she and her husband are still trying to wrap their heads around the logistics with most of their staff laid off and no rear customer entrance.

Traffic interruptions on E. 185 Street will last at least through November 2020. Currently, motorists only can drive northbound on E. 185 Street from East Park Drive to Pawnee Avenue. The through traffic northbound detour route is east onto Neff Road, north onto Lakeshore Boulevard, and then south to return to E. 185 Street. The southbound detour route is south on Lakeshore Boulevard, west onto Neff Road and then north to return to E. 185 Street.

Marcella Road is scheduled to reopen to traffic the week of May 11th.  Deconstruction of the micro-tunneling shaft on Marcella Road near East 185 Street is completed. Pavement restoration is in progress. Resurfacing of Marcella Road between East 185 Street and Lakeshore Boulevard is scheduled for late-Spring/Summer of 2020.

Currently, one lane is closed at the intersection at East 185 Street and Pawnee Avenue while shafts are deconstructed and the main sewer on Pawnee Avenue is connected to the new relief sewer. The northboundtraffic is only open between this point and East Park Drive.  Work at this intersection is scheduled to be completed the week of May 5.

The remaining estimated work schedule and intersection closings is below. Full intersection closures will occur at each location as work progresses southward. Each intersection is expected to be completed within three weeks.

• East Park Drive/Cherokee Avenue (early-May to early June)
• Mohawk Avenue (early June to late June)
• Muskoka Avenue (late June to mid-July)
• Arrowhead Avenue (mid-July to early August)
• Killdeer Avenue (early August to late August)
• Chickasaw Avenue (late August to mid-September)
• Kewanee Avenue (mid-September to early October)
• Shawnee Avenue (early October to late October)
• Neff Road (early November  to late November)

Project updates are posted on the WPC Facebook page at @ClevelandWPC and on Twitter at @CleWPC, using #E185SewerProject.