The NOACA Governing Board approved the following project as a candidate to be amended to the NOACA Transportation Plan by adopting Resolution No. 2004-057.

Title: Bennett Road Bridge Rehabilitation in North Royalton
Sponsor:  Cuyahoga County Engineer
Estimated Total Cost: $1,800,000
Proposed Source of Federal Funds: County Engineers Association of Ohio (CEAO)

History/Background:  The bridge on Bennett Road (CR-109) was approved for CEAO local bridge (LBR) program funds for construction in calendar year 2009.

Current Conditions: The Bennett Road bridge (No. 50) crosses over the east branch of the Rocky River. Bennett Road is functionally classified as an urban minor arterial. The speed limit is 35 miles per hour (mph). The average daily traffic (ADT) on Bennett Road varies between 7,350 and 7,800 vehicles per day (2000 count). The projected ADT is 11,900 (2029). The existing bridge is two-span concrete girder type. The bridge is approximately 80 feet long. The pavement is 20 feet wide with graded shoulder 6 feet wide and treated shoulder 4 feet wide. The structure includes sidewalks 5 feet wide and guardrails. The bridge has a sufficiency rating of 54.1 (6/23/03 Inspection date). The structure has a general appraisal rating of 5A based on the most recent bridge inspection report.

Proposed Project: This project involves the major rehabilitation of the bridge on Bennett Road. The work includes replacement of the superstructure, rehabilitating the pier, abutments and wing walls to improve the rating and serviceability of the bridge. The work also includes replacing approaches to the existing pavement, approximately 100 feet east of the bridge and 100 feet west of the bridge. The proposed bridge is a prestressed concrete box beam structure. The structure will include sidewalks 5 feet wide and new concrete bridge railing that will emulate existing stone railing by means of formliners and colored concrete. The estimated total construction cost is $1,800,000. Ninety percent ($1,620,000) of the construction (C) cost will be funded with CEAO LBR funds. The CEAO has programmed construction for calendar year 2009.

Staff Comment (Summary):

• The proposed improvement meets Goal #3 (Preserve and Improve the Efficiency of the Transportation System) of NOACA’s Framework for Action 2025 and Goals #1 (System Preservation and Management) and #3 (Cooperative Planning Process and Transportation Efficiency) of ODOT’s Access Ohio.
• This project does not directly serve E.J. populations.
• Best available practices should be used to avoid water quality degradation in the east branch of the Rocky River during and after construction.
• According to ODOT’s bridge file, this structure has a General Appraisal of 5 (Fair Category) and a sufficiency rating of 54.1, which would make it eligible for bridge rehabilitation funds. However, there are many bridges in Cuyahoga County that are in worse condition.
• Advance to Committee and public review with the understanding that the sponsor will make a good-faith effort to address comments.