Toronto bridge project to be delayed a year

BRIDGE WORK DELAYED — A view of the Alexander Street Bridge from the railroad tracks beneath it.
— Warren Scott

TORONTO — Officials with the Ohio Department of Transportation have confirmed completion of a major transportation project at the city’s north end will be delayed by a year.

Morgan Eibel, a public information officer for ODOT, said multiple issues, including matters involving a section of the Norfolk Southern Railroad below, have led to completion of the Alexander Street Bridge project now being eyed for this fall.

“The project was originally estimated to be completed in the fall of 2023, however, due to multiple items that have delayed the project, including some submittal issues between the contractor and the railroad, the project had to be shut down until that could be alleviated,” Eibel said in a statement.

“The appropriate submittals have been submitted to the railroad and they are currently in the review process. As soon as the submittals are approved, the project will resume,” she added. “We are hoping to get this project back up and progressing as soon as possible. At this time, the project is anticipated to be completed in the fall of 2024.”

Mayor John Parker, who was approached for comment, said he reached out to ODOT some time ago and was told the contractor plans to install netting between the span and the railroad tracks beneath it, and railroad officials were concerned about maintaining sufficient clearance for trains to pass under it.

He said state highway officials were hopeful the work could resume this spring but he’s since asked for more information because an accident occurred recently on the span.

The span is part of the Robert Urich Interchange, which links state Route 7 to the city’s north entrance at North Fourth Street.

Crews with APBN Inc. of Pulaski, Ohio, began work in late August, closing its westbound lane and removing part of its deck.

Two-way traffic has been maintained on its remaining lane using temporary traffic signals.

The $1.1 million project is slated to include the construction of new approach slabs, support walls and expansion joints.

Guardrail along the span also is expected to be replaced.

It’s being funded with about $837,489 in state funds and $362,511 in city funds, including money left over from the Titanium Way bridge project that was completed several years ago.