Payne Avenue
We're making changes to Payne Avenue between East 13th Street and East 55th Street to address traffic safety concerns and improve the condition of the roadway.
Construction is underway and we expect roadway striping to be completed in 2026.
Why Payne Avenue?
Over 60% of vehicles on Payne Avenue are travelling over the speed limit. We're working to create a street that's safer for everyone who lives, works, shops, and goes to school along Payne Avenue.
This project aligns with our Vision Zero commitment to end crashes that result in fatal and serious injuries. There were 54 crashes on Payne Avenue between 2021-2025, with 3 of those crashes causing serious, life changing injuries.
Payne Avenue is also on our bikeway vision network. You can learn more about our bike network on our Cleveland Moves webpage.
Project Area Map:
Project Design
We are installing parking protected bike lanes on Payne Avenue between E. 13th Street and E. 55th Street. We will also install decorative, AsiaTown crosswalks along the part of the corridor that runs through AsiaTown.
Parking protected bike lanes include a bike lane along the curb, and move parked cars away from the curb to provide physical separation and more comfort for people riding bicycles. This type of bike lane is proven to improve safety for everyone on the road. They reduce average maximum vehicle speed by 28% and reduce crashes for all modes by 30-50%. Cities with dedicated bike lanes had 44% fewer traffic deaths and 50% fewer serious injuries.
Learn more about types of bikeways
Project Scope
Through this project, we intend to accomplish the following:
- Repave the street and install new striping
- Upgrade curb ramps, replace broken sidewalks, repair curb where needed
- Remove abandoned driveway aprons
- Improve existing crosswalks and add new crossings at E. 22nd, E. 23rd, and E. 24th Street. Some crosswalks will include decorative striping designed by the community.
- Include parking protected bike lanes
- Add street trees and greening
- Install new 12 inch water main with new connections and fire hydrants
FAQ
This webpage will be updated regularly with Frequently Asked Questions as the project develops.
Stage 1 (E. 13th Street to E. 30th Street)
$7.2 Million
Funding Sources:
Ohio Public Works Commission Issue 1 Grants
City of Cleveland Road and Bridge Bonds & Public Utility Funds
Stage 2 (E. 30th Street to E. 55th Street)
$7.87 Million
Funding Sources:
Ohio Public Works Commission Issue 1 Grants
City of Cleveland Road and Bridge Bonds & Public Utility Funds
Preliminary design for Payne Avenue Phase 1 began in 2022, and construction began on Phase 1 in 2024.
Preliminary design for Payne Avenue Phase 2 began in 2023, and construction began on Phase 2 in 2025.
We expect that construction and striping for Phase 1 and 2 will be complete in 2026.
As part of the Complete and Green Streets Policy, the Transportation Infrastructure Advisory Committee (TIAC) reviewed this project. The TIAC provides design input at the earliest stages of a project's planning. The goal of the TIAC is to create projects that add more greenery, improve safety, and create better transportation options for all users.
Project Updates
November 20, 2025 – Water main and service connections are complete. Intermediate asphalt paving of the north side of Payne is scheduled to be finished by December 1, 2025. Plan is to open street during winter shutdown, once double yellow centerline has been installed and the existing centerline on the south side of the street has been removed.
October 23, 2025 – North side of Payne Avenue base repairs are complete and intermediate course has been placed. Final few water service connections (East 37th to East 40th) will be connected to new main, once chlorination complete. Trench restoration will follow shortly afterwards. South side pavement base repairs and then paving intermediate course should be complete next week.
October 9, 2025 – East 30th to East 37th passed pressure testing and is awaiting CWD chlorination. Next two weeks East 30th to East 47th connections should be complete. Milling pavement is to begin 10/15/2025 from East 40th to East 55th. Intermediate course asphalt pavement is scheduled to begin the week of 10/27/2025 and should be complete in two weeks.
September 25, 2025 – Project remains ahead of schedule. East 40th to East 45th Street connections complete, except one on north side of Payne Avenue. Next week crew should complete south side tie in at East 33rd Street. Work will continue to reconnect service connections. Concrete trench repair to follow connections from East 40th to East 55th Street.
September 12, 2025 – Progress remain ahead of schedule for the 8” water main construction on Payne Avenue. Four of the south street connections to the new main are complete. Work continues for the south intersections of Payne Avenue and East 32nd, East 33rd, and East 36th Streets. Concrete trench repair to begin at East 55th Street working west. Possible asphalt milling and asphalt intermediate course paving from East 55th Street to East 40th Street this fall.
August 28, 2025 – The 8” water main is complete from East 55th to East 30th. South side street water tie ins are complete from East 55th to East 39th. Continue to tie in to existing water mains on the south intersections with Payne Avenue. Individual connections to the new main are being performed from west to east once new main passes inspections by Cleveland Division of Water.
August 14, 2025 - Construction of the water line from East 55th Street west toward East 30th Street is ahead of schedule. Water main along Payne Avenue should be complete by August 22, 2025. Connection of the side street water lines will continue for next few weeks.
A Public Meeting was held July 8, 2025 at 5:30PM at the Cleveland Chinese Christian Church to share project information with the community.
A Public Meeting was held on June 14, 2023 to provide project information and engage the local community.
Payne Avenue Phase 1 Presentation
In 2022, community members worked to pilot separated bike lanes on Payne Avenue using Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) Street Supplies. The installation included murals painted on existing jersey barriers, painted decorative crosswalks, and separated bike lanes.
