The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Vrooman Road bridge work to begin
Surveying work already underway
The Ohio Department of Transportation on Aug. 28 announced the impending construction of the long-awaited new Vrooman Road bridge.
Building of the foundations and piers is expected to begin in mid-September, according to an ODOT press release.
In preparation for construction, crews have started surveying work, which will continue through the end of August.
The project involves replacing the existing bridge with a highlevel span on a new alignment over the Grand River in Perry and Leroy townships, along with resurfacing Vrooman between the new structure and Interstate 90.
“We are pleased to be working in partnership with ODOT District 12 to complete this muchneeded project,” said Lake County Engineer Jim Gills.
The new northern end of the bridge will be at Route 84 and Lane Road. This design was selected as the preferred alternative because it addresses all four deficiencies along the Vrooman Road corridor, officials say.
These deficiencies include the substandard conditions of the existing bridge, substandard roadway geometrics, documented safety issues associated with crash patterns through this corridor and insufficient connectivity to eastern Lake County during unexpected highway closures.
ODOT’s strong working relationship with the Lake County Engineer’s Office has allowed the state department to finalize the construction plans and permitting requirements so work can begin, said District 12 Deputy Director Myron Pakush.
“While there were many challenges addressed throughout the long history of this project’s development, we are confident this project will provide many benefits to the travelers of Lake County for many years in the future,” he said
ODOT took the reins after the county settled a lawsuit with the former project manager, The Ruhlin Co., in late 2016. Ruhlin started work on the project in March 2015, but progress was halted just three months later as the county awaited the necessary environmental permits to proceed in an area involving wetlands and the scenic river.
Ruhlin sued the county for breach of contract and negligence, alleging that the Engineer’s Office did not heed its warnings to apply for the permits at least a year before work was to begin.
The job was re-awarded in July to The Great Lakes Construction Company at a cost of $22.4 million. The entire project is expected to be complete in September 2020.
The current bridge has been inaccessible from the north since March 22, when Vrooman was closed permanently between Mason’s Landing Park entrance and Route 84. The closure resulted from safety concerns about a retaining wall on the west side of Vrooman.
The bridge was closed temporarily in 2016 for repairs after damage was discovered, likely from oversized vehicles. When it reopened, it had been reduced to one lane and traffic signals were added at either end.
The replacement project dates back to at least 2009.