Restoration of 2 bridges impacting response time

Fire department warned emergency vehicles too heavy for existing spans

Construction on bridges in Euclid is affecting response times during emergencies, the Euclid Fire Department confirmed this week.

Euclid Assistant Fire Chief William Anderson went on to state that the two bridges being restored on Highland Road — between Euclid Avenue and cutting through Euclid Creek Reservation — are in worse shape than previously thought by the contractor.

Because of the condition of the bridges, the department was warned that their ambulances and fire apparatus, ranging in weight from 15,000 to 80,000 pounds, are too heavy to travel across the structures.

Though inconvenient, ignoring the warning could result in a bridge collapse, Anderson said.

The notification is forcing the department to make alternative plans to protect residents and their property.

Detours also will delay typical arrival times, adding about 10 minutes to the Highland Road area and its affected 23 streets south of the construction, near Euclid’s border with Richmond Heights.

“It’s no one’s fault,” Anderson added. “The contractor told the county (about the bridges), and the county told us. We have an obligation to provide quick response, but we have to be mindful of the bridges closure to the heavy vehicles.”

Cuyahoga County contracted Union Industrial Contractors based in Ashtabula for the construction projects.

Anderson said the length of the restoration could extend to Thanksgiving, but was told it could possibly be completed by this summer.

With the resources of neighboring fire departments, a contingency plan has been created to respond to potential emergencies.

“We’re relying on the Richmond Heights Fire Department, the Highland Heights Fire Department and the South Euclid Fire Department to help us through this,” Anderson said. “With these mutual aid partners, we can help to keep response times normal during an incident. We’re good at working together.

“These situations pop up from time to time. We want to keep common communications. I want to stress that we’re still going to get to someone in a timely record.”

According to records, the Euclid Fire Department responded to 52 calls in the Highland Road area of the city in 2017, an average of once a week.

“There are busier sections of the city, but that doesn’t matter if it’s your emergency,” Anderson said. “We take the safety of our residents very seriously.”