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Spafford Road Bridge Replacement in Brook Park and Olmsted Township

 

The Governing Board approved the project planning review process for this project on March 8, 2002 by adopting Resolution 2002-022

Title: Spafford Road Bridge Replacement in Brook Park and Olmsted Township
Sponsor:  Cuyahoga County Engineer
Estimated Total Cost: $1,650,000
Proposed Source of Federal Funds: County Engineers Association of Ohio (CEAO)

History/Background:
The bridge on Spafford Road was originally built in 1909. The only remaining portions of the original structure are the concrete arch abutments. The abutments were used as pier foundations when the existing three-span, simple prestressed, precast concrete box beam structure was built in 1965. The box beam bridge was rehabilitated in 1989. This project has been approved for CEAO local bridge (LBR) program funds and selected for ODOT's Design-Build Program for construction in calendar year 2002.

Current Conditions:
Spafford Road is a local road.  The average daily traffic (ADT) on the road varies between 1,900 to 2,000 vehicles per day (Yr. 2000 count). The Spafford Road Bridge crosses over the Rocky River in the Metroparks Rocky River Reservation and is just east of the Valley Parkway and an all-purpose trail. Spafford Road can provide east-west access as well as access to the all-purpose trail along the Valley Parkway.

The bridge is 151 feet long and 30 feet wide. The bridge has a sufficiency rating of 43.1, is classified as structurally deficient and has a general appraisal of 4 (based on the most recent bridge inspection report).

Proposed Project:
This project involves the replacement of the Spafford Road bridge (Bridge No. 23), over the east branch of the Rocky River in the Cities of Brook Park and Olmsted Township. The sponsor proposes to replace the entire bridge from the foundation up. The new bridge will be a wider two lane bridge but within the existing 60' wide right-of-way. No vertical or horizontal realignment of the bridge or approach roadway is necessary. No utility will be relocated. One hundred percent ($1,050,000) of the construction (C) cost will be funded with CEAO LBR funds. Construction will be programmed for SFY 2003.

Staff Comment (Summary):

  • The proposed improvement meets Goal #3 (Preserve and Improve the Efficiency of the Transportation System) and #7 (Reinvest in the Urban Core Areas and Manage Investments to Implement Plan Goals) 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.
  • Proper erosion and sediment control practices should be used during demolition and construction.
  • No transit service will be affected.
  • Sidewalks should be considered as part of the project (especially being within the Metroparks).
  • Smooth transitions from the bridge to the trail should be provided avoiding large curbs that block access.
  • In general, when barriers exist that limit access, it is especially important that bridges be designed to accommodate all bikes and pedestrians as well as motor vehicles.
  • More information will be sought and this project will be subject to further review by the Bike Advisory Subcommittee.
  • Move for committee and public review in order to obtain comments.

Intergovernmental Review (IGR):

Public Involvement:

Committee Review:
Bicycle Advisory Council (BAC) recommendations:

The BAC recommends that the sponsor provide 4' shoulders on this bridge for bicyclists. The bridge crosses over the Rocky River in the Metroparks' Rocky River Reservation and is just east of the Valley Parkway and an all-purpose trail. It can provide east-west access, as well as access to the all-purpose trail along the Valley Parkway. Access to the trail via Spafford Road is problematic at this time due to roadway deficiencies that will hopefully be taken care of in the future.  While Cedar Point Road to the north also provides east-west and trail access this is out of the way for some potential users of the trail. As a general principal, when barriers exist that limit access, it is especially important that bridges be designed to accommodate all bikes and pedestrians as well as motor vehicles.

Regional Transportation Investment Subcommittee (RTIP):
No comments; recommended for programming in the TIP

Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC):
No comments; recommended for programming in the TIP