A $140 million project to rebuild one bridge and add another on state Route 8 should not cause major traffic disruptions, said Ohio Department of Transportation representatives at a community meeting Tuesday at Celebration Church in Akron.
That news seemed to satisfy the 40 people in attendance, only four of whom addressed a panel of project representatives with their concerns.
“It’s a little questionable because of all the unknowns, but going forward, it seems it will be beneficial for the folks in Akron,” said city resident Micklos Blake.
“The whole idea is to keep traffic moving,” said Rob Parker, an environmental specialist with Gannett Fleming, the project’s consulting company. Parker said there will only be some ramp closures and other short disruptions scattered over the four-year construction period.
The project will replace the existing 1,500-foot bridge, known as the North Expressway Viaduct, that carries Route 8 over several railroads, East North Street and the Little Cuyahoga River in Akron.
The six-lane bridge was built in 1953 and carries more than 115,000 vehicles a day.
The first of four phases is set to begin in 2021. In the first phase, a new steel bridge will be built to the west of the existing one. While the existing bridge is being torn down and rebuilt, traffic will travel along the new bridge. ODOT will take over at least five residential and five business properties for the new bridge’s construction with several more properties under consideration.
Officials said ODOT will reimburse property owners their full property value and relocation costs. Property acquisition will begin in 2018.
Donna and Robert Calaway have lived in their home on Arch Street since 1991. Their property is one of the five being taken by the state.
“We know the congestion of traffic pretty well,” Donna said. “I hear accidents on the highway left and right.”
Despite losing the home they have lived in for 25 years, the Calaways have an optimistic outlook on the construction.
“The sooner they start, the better,” Robert said. “I think it’s taken too long. I want to see what they come up with.”
Ultimately, at the end of construction, both bridges will be in use. Each bridge will be one way with four lanes and wider shoulders.
“We do have most of the money we need secured for this project,” said Jack Noble, an ODOT bridge engineer. “We still have a lot of aesthetic features that we’re going to be incorporating into the project. We’re going to try to make this a real nice-looking bridge without taking a tremendous amount of money to do so.”
Gannett Fleming and ODOT have been working to conduct initial research on the project, including its impact on the environment and surrounding residents. They are surveying residents’ opinions about installing sound barriers on the bridge.
There’s good news for the environment: The project will not have any lasting impact on forested or wetland areas. Only some recreational areas will be affected, such as Lookout Park and Freedom Trail, which will be temporarily closed at some point during construction.
“Anything that can help Route 8 coming south is a blessing,” said Freddywithay Schulz, who runs a bike trail advocacy program in Akron. “As long as Freedom Trail will only be shut down for a while, I think it’s a good idea.”
Comments or concerns can still be submitted to ODOT by calling 330-786-4975, emailing robert.lang@dot.ohio.gov or mailing Edward W. Deley Jr., Environmental Coordinator, ODOT-District 4, 2088 S. Arlington Road, Akron, OH 44306. Friday is the final day to submit comments.
For more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/Route8Bridge.
Theresa Cottom can be reached at 330-996-3216 or tcottom@thebeaconjournal.com