CLEVELAND – The shutdown of Cleveland’s West Shoreway Friday for movie making caused a traffic nightmare that was way worse than many people expected.
Detroit Avenue was bumper-to-bumper from 6:30 until 9 Friday morning from Lake Avenue to downtown Cleveland.
The backup could be seen for miles. Many motorists said they burned up a quarter to half tank of gas in the traffic jam.
Others said a 20-minute drive took an hour and a half.
Some drivers on Lake Avenue said their cars didn’t move at all for 40 minutes.
Some police directing traffic at Lake and Clifton seemed to feel the tension, too, as drivers and police exchanged words.
Neighbors said they were frustrated by drivers cutting down side streets trying to get over to I-90, clogging their neighborhoods.
One woman said she’s concerned she’ll get caught in afternoon gridlock, making her late to pick up her kids from school as the Shoreway remains closed for weeks during filming.
West 49th is open to Edgewater from Detroit Avenue.
Friday traffic is usually lighter in general, so the real test could come next week.
