Span reopens after $1.7M renovation is finished

ThisWeek CW 11/06/2013

http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2013/11/05/lithopolis-winchester-road-bridge-span-reopens-after-1-7m-renovation-is-finished.html

After five months of detours, Canal Winchester area residents are again able to cross the Lithopolis-Winchester Road Bridge over Little Walnut Creek.

The Franklin County Engineer’s Office supervised the $1.7 million project, completed by Complete General Construction Co., which restored and improved the aging structure. The renovated bridge opened to traffic Friday, Nov. 1.

According to the engineer’s office, the project was funded through the Federal Highway Administration, the Ohio Public Works Commission and the county.

Canal Winchester Mayor Michael Ebert said the detour was a problem for many people and so he’s excited to have the project completed.

“It’ll be nice having the bridge open once again,” he said. “Many people had to go out of their way to get into town and I’m certain the school bus drivers will be happy as well.

“Overall, the new bridge will save time and be a much safer commute for everyone who uses the route.”

The bridge was closed in early June, after the end of the school year. While work was being done, northbound traffic was detoured to follow Waterloo Road north to Hill Road, west to High Street, south to Columbus Street and south to Lithopolis Winchester Road.

Southbound traffic followed the same detour in reverse.

Franklin County Engineer Dean Ringle was also happy to have another completed project.

“Despite having rain and high-water delays, the Complete General Construction Co. finished on time and as quickly as possible,” Ringle said.

The project included replacement of the bridge deck and bridge railings, and rehabilitation of the abutments, piers and arches. Engineer Jim Pajik said this will provide benefits not just to vehicle traffic, but to pedestrians as well.

“The project benefits the residents as wider shoulders were provided to better accommodate vehicles and cyclists crossing the bridge,” he said. “The bridge was also designed for a future raised sidewalk, should the community wish to provide that at a later date.

“The main component of the existing bridge — the arches — remained intact,” Pajik said. “Nothing was done underneath the bridge to prevent a possible trail along Little Walnut Creek from being added in the future.”

After five months of detours, Canal Winchester area residents are again able to cross the Lithopolis-Winchester Road Bridge over Little Walnut Creek.

The Franklin County Engineer’s Office supervised the $1.7 million project, completed by Complete General Construction Co., which restored and improved the aging structure. The renovated bridge opened to traffic Friday, Nov. 1.

According to the engineer’s office, the project was funded through the Federal Highway Administration, the Ohio Public Works Commission and the county.

Canal Winchester Mayor Michael Ebert said the detour was a problem for many people and so he’s excited to have the project completed.

“It’ll be nice having the bridge open once again,” he said. “Many people had to go out of their way to get into town and I’m certain the school bus drivers will be happy as well.

“Overall, the new bridge will save time and be a much safer commute for everyone who uses the route.”

The bridge was closed in early June, after the end of the school year. While work was being done, northbound traffic was detoured to follow Waterloo Road north to Hill Road, west to High Street, south to Columbus Street and south to Lithopolis Winchester Road.

Southbound traffic followed the same detour in reverse.

Franklin County Engineer Dean Ringle was also happy to have another completed project.

“Despite having rain and high-water delays, the Complete General Construction Co. finished on time and as quickly as possible,” Ringle said.

The project included replacement of the bridge deck and bridge railings, and rehabilitation of the abutments, piers and arches. Engineer Jim Pajik said this will provide benefits not just to vehicle traffic, but to pedestrians as well.

“The project benefits the residents as wider shoulders were provided to better accommodate vehicles and cyclists crossing the bridge,” he said. “The bridge was also designed for a future raised sidewalk, should the community wish to provide that at a later date.

“The main component of the existing bridge — the arches — remained intact,” Pajik said. “Nothing was done underneath the bridge to prevent a possible trail along Little Walnut Creek from being added in the future.”