The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Henderson Bridge to close for 2 weekends
Contractor finishing refurbishing work
One of Lorain’s bridges over the Black River will close for two weekends as repairs continue on the structure.
The Lofton Henderson Memorial Bridge will close to all pedestrian and vehicle traffic at 9 p.m. Oct. 21 and reopen before 5 a.m. Oct. 24.
The bridge also will close at 9 p.m. Oct. 28 and reopen before 5 a.m. Oct. 31.
The closure is necessary to ensure safe and effective sealing of the concrete surfaces on the bridge, said Kaleb Tobien, field engineer for Kokosing Construction Co. Inc. Kokosing Construction is the lead contractor on the bridge refurbishing project.
The contractor notified the Ohio Department of Transportation and Lorain Mayor Chase Ritenauer on Oct. 17.
Kokosing Construction’s notice included a proposed detour for drivers to travel on Broadway or Colorado Avenue to go over the Charles
Berry Bascule Bridge.
In South Lorain, the East 31st Street bridge also will be open for walkers and cars over the Black River.
The Henderson bridge has had lane closures and restricted access for walkers since work began in spring.
The bridge repairs are a $5.3 million project with a completion date by Oct. 31, according to ODOT details.
The work includes stiffening plates, replacing bridge
deck joints, touching up paint and replacing the navigation lights that glow under the bridge to mark the navigation channel of the Black River.
The Henderson bridge is named for Lorain native Lofton Henderson, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and Marine Corps officer who was awarded the Navy Cross for his service as a squadron commander and pilot in the Battle of Midway on June 4, 1942.