The Governing Board approved the project planning review process for this project on June 14,  2002 by adopting Resolution 2002-044

Title: Bridge Replacement on Main Street in Middleburg Heights and Strongsville
Sponsor:  Cuyahoga County Engineer
Estimated Total Cost: $815,000
Proposed Source of Federal Funds: County Engineers Association of Ohio (CEAO)

History/Background:  The bridge on Main Street (CR-291) spans Baldwin Creek east of the Rocky River Reservation, in Middleburg Heights and Strongsville.  The existing single span cast-in-place concrete beam structure was built in 1925.  The bridge has been approved for CEAO administered Surface Transportation Program (STP)/local bridge (LBR) program funds. This project was considered for ODOT's Design-Build Program for construction in calendar year 2002.

Current Conditions:  Main Street is a local road.  The Main Street bridge crosses over Baldwin Creek west of Big Creek Parkway.  The bridge has a span of 40' feet and is 33'6" wide.  The Main Street bridge is one of the county system's lowest rated bridges.  The bridge has a sufficiency rating of 18.0.  It is classified as structurally deficient, functionally obsolete and has a general appraisal of 3.  The concrete beams are 3' – 8" deep severely limiting clearance to the creek during periods of high water, which has resulted in scour beneath the bridge and directly upstream.

Proposed Project: This project involves the replacement of the bridge (No. 36) on Main Street.   The replacement structure will be approximately the same span length (i.e. 40').  It will be a two-lane bridge comprised of pre-stressed concrete box beams in full-height abutments.  The depth of the superstructure will be reduced, which should remedy the scour problems without adjusting the roadway profile.  As such no approach work is anticipated.  The bridge will be constructed within the existing 60' wide right-of-way.  As such, the sponsor does not anticipate any additional property or utility relocation.  The total construction cost is estimated at $815,000.  One Hundred percent of the construction cost will be funded with CEAO C/STPLBR funds. Construction will be programmed for beyond SFY 2005 (i.e. SFY 2007). The project would be administered locally.

Staff Comment (Summary):

• The proposed improvement meets NOACA's Framework for Action 2025 Goals #2 (Enhance the Natural Environment),  #3 (Preserve and Improve the Efficiency of the Transportation System), #8 (Foster Partnerships to Strengthen the Region) #9 (Direct the Plan and Investments Toward Compact Land Use Development) and transportation safety
• The project serves neither the urban core nor Title VI/Environmental Justice (EJ) identified areas.
• Accommodation of other modes ought to be addressed.
• Proper erosion and sediment control practices should be used during demolition and construction.  Culverts, if necessary, should be three sided culverts.
• No fixed route transit service will be affected in the project area.
• Sidewalks should be considered as part of the project (especially being in close proximity to the Metroparks).
• Current load limits should be retained.
• Move for committee and public review in order to obtain comments.