July 27, 200618 yr http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060727/NEWS11/607270354/-1/NEWS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Article published July 27, 2006 Panel asked not to delay project By DAVID PATCH BLADE STAFF WRITER The Ohio Department of Transportation is asking a state panel that reviews major highway projects to restore the start of two sections of a new U.S. 24 west of Defiance to its 2007 schedule instead of postponing construction by up to three years. Responding to rapidly rising materials costs, the Transportation Review Advisory Council last month issued a five-year plan in which the west end of a U.S. 24 freeway planned between metropolitan Toledo and the Indiana border near Fort Wayne would be built starting in 2008, with a section west of U.S. 127 not to begin until 2010. ...
July 31, 200618 yr From the 7/30/06 Enquirer: Interstate ramps getting helpers Signals let cars merge without interrupting flow BY CLIFF RADEL | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER Coming to an interstate entrance ramp near you: Traffic lights, blinking red and green. Starting in June 2007, stop-and-go lights - called "ramp meters" in traffic engineering lingo - will be installed by the Ohio Department of Transportation on an eastbound stretch of Interstate 74 entrance ramps. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060730/NEWS01/607300357/1056/rss02
August 1, 200618 yr Better to have backup on side streets than major expressways. Why doesn't anyone understand this?
August 8, 200618 yr New U.S. 30 'heaven' Crestline resident finds peace Big benefits apparent in Galion By Mike Redelson Telegraph-Forum staff CRESTLINE -- Last year, Florence Reinhard called the opening of the new four-lane U.S. 30 "heaven." The 78-year-old West Main Street resident said she was looking forward to "reclaiming" her front porch she felt she had been driven off of because of the heavy truck traffic and noise along the old two lane U.S. 30 through town (West Main Street) which is now County Road 330. "Every now and then we'll get some semi traffic but it's rare and it's quiet and the air so fresh," Reinhard said this week. More at: http://www.bucyrustelegraphforum.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060807/NEWS01/608070302/1002/rss01
August 18, 200618 yr From the 8/16/06 Ironton Tribune: Funding OK’d for bridge repairs By Teresa Moore/The Ironton Tribune Wednesday, August 16, 2006 10:49 AM CDT Plans to build a new bridge and plans to refurbish the existing one got attention Tuesday from state officials. The state Controlling Board approved $1.56 million in funding to rehabilitate the Ironton-Russell Bridge. The repairs are meant to keep the bridge in good working condition until it is replaced with a new bridge seven or eight years from now. http://www.irontontribune.com/articles/2006/08/16/news/news192.txt
August 18, 200618 yr From the 8/13/06 Pomeroy Daily Sentinel: New bridge cost now at $60 million By Beth Sergent Sunday, August 13, 2006 6:23 PM EDT POMEROY - Last week, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) announced its latest figures for construction expenses related to the new Pomeroy Mason Bridge, now expected to cost $60 million. The most recent cost estimate in June was roughly $54 million, but since then ODOT has factored in additional costs from the project's several unforeseen problems, including the concrete consolidation on the West Virginia tower, the shale found in the hillside above the Pomeroy approach with its additional excavation work, the Ohio side slip and flooding delays. http://www.mydailysentinel.com/articles/2006/08/13/news/local_news/news00.txt
August 19, 200618 yr From the 8/18/06 Parkersburg News and Sentinel: Corridor D almost complete By RACHEL LANE, Staff Writer PARKERSBURG — The work on the Corridor D project highway is expected to be complete around the end of the month and the bridge and the Ohio access work is expected to be completed in September 2007. Both projects are expected to continue though the winter. http://newsandsentinel.com/articles.asp?articleID=7884
August 19, 200618 yr I completely missed this story before...that's a very cool mixed bridge...I'm guess river traffic goes on the north side of the island, and hence the arch there to make a larger channel? Too bad they didn't include a pedestrian-only area that permitted foot traffic access to Blennerhassett Island...tie it into the Buckeye Trail...now that would have rocked... Oh, and let me guess - it will end up being called Robert Byrd Bridge or something?
August 19, 200618 yr I always thought Memorial bridge (north side of Belpre/parkersburg) was susposed to be part of Corridor D.
August 30, 200618 yr From the 8/29/06 Ironton Tribune: City Council hears about bridge project By Mark Shaffer/The Ironton Tribune Tuesday, August 29, 2006 10:17 AM CDT It only took about five minutes for Ironton city council to deal with the two ordinances on the agenda on Thursday night. The rest of the two-hour meeting was taken up with a presentation and questions about the Ironton-Russell Bridge project has been delayed for seven years. http://www.irontontribune.com/articles/2006/08/30/news/news132.txt
September 7, 200618 yr From the 9/6/06 Western Hills Press: Green Twp., ODOT at odds over meter plan BY KURT BACKSCHEIDER | COMMUNITY PRESS STAFF WRITER GREEN TWP. -- Motorists merging onto Interstate 74 in the near future will have to stop, then go. The Ohio Department of Transportation is moving ahead with plans to install quick-flashing traffic signals -- known as ramp meters -- at four eastbound entrance ramps to I-74. http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060906/NEWS01/609060625/1002/RSS01
September 7, 200618 yr From the 9/6/06 Tri-County Press: Sharonville businesses want answers Property owners ask city when land will be bought BY ANDREA REEVES | COMMUNITY PRESS STAFF WRITER SHARONVILLE -- Some business owners in Sharonville want to know when their properties will be bought for a railroad grade separation project that's in the works for Reading Road. Properties on the east side of Reading Road abutting the railroad tracks and a property on the west side are supposed to be bought for the project. The project will include building a bridge to re-route Reading Road over the railroad tracks and create a new intersection a quarter mile from where the Reading and Lebanon Road fork is located now. Read More...
September 22, 200618 yr From the 9/17/06 Pomeroy Daily Sentinel: PHOTO: Three vehicles were damaged but no one was injured when these huge rocks fell from the hillside on West Main Street near the bridge entrance Friday evening. Charlene Hoeflich/photos Rock fall limits access to Pomeroy-Mason Bridge By Charlene Hoeflich Sunday, September 17, 2006 5:24 PM EDT POMEROY - Hugh rocks and debris falling from the hillside on West Main Street in Pomeroy near the Pomeroy-Mason Bridge entrance early Friday evening resulted in damage to three vehicles but no personal injury. Pomeroy Chief of Police Mark Proffitt said the vehicle damage was caused by small stones propelled into the air and across the roadway as the larger rocks fell to the ground and settled behind the concrete barriers along the highway. “We're fortunate nothing worse happened here,” Proffitt commented. http://www.mydailysentinel.com/articles/2006/09/17/news/local_news/news00.txt
September 22, 200618 yr From the 9/19/06 Pomeroy Daily Sentinel: ODOT preparing bridge approach for Friday re-opening By Brian J. Reed Tuesday, September 19, 2006 5:15 PM EDT POMEROY - The Ohio Department of Transportation has asked the contractor, C.J. Mahan Construction Co. to prepare the approach to the Pomeroy-Mason Bridge for a Friday re-opening. ODOT Spokesman Stephanie Filson said ODOT has given the contractor three days to rebuild a counter-berm and remove any loose materials on the hillside across from the bridge, where a rock slide closed traffic over the weekend. Filson said the counter-berm is a temporary barrier that is designed to protect traffic from debris. http://www.mydailysentinel.com/articles/2006/09/19/news/local_news/news00.txt
September 23, 200618 yr http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060922/NEWS11/609220389/-1/NEWS -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Article published September 22, 2006 U.S. 24 project to begin in '07, not '08 By DAVID PATCH BLADE STAFF WRITER After reviewing construction cost projections and other financial consequences of delay, a committee that guides Ohio's spending on major transportation projects decided that work should start next year on a new U.S. 24 west of Defiance, instead of in two phases starting in 2008. Yesterday, the Transportation Review Advisory Council reversed its June decision to delay funding for the 23 miles of highway because of an Ohio Department of Transportation budget pinch caused by rising fuel and construction materials prices. ...
October 18, 200618 yr From the 10/8/06 Pomeroy Daily Sentinel: RENDERING: This artist's rendering of a view of the new Pomeroy-Mason Bridge that will hopefully be a reality someday but until that day the project has experienced its share of delays, included the latest which is a saftey issue for the work crews. Courtesy of ODOT ODOT addresses latest bridge rumors By Beth Sergent Sunday, October 8, 2006 5:18 PM EDT POMEROY - Since construction began in 2003 on the Pomeroy-Mason Bridge replacement project, rumors as well as the reality of setbacks have been the norm and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) District 10 wants to set the record straight on the latest challenges. According to ODOT, one of those challenges is not public safety. However, ODOT's latest obstacle has a connection to a bridge project in Puerto Rico where work was temporarily halted because the portable framework used to support the newly-poured concrete during construction between the towers (also called a form traveler) failed. http://www.mydailysentinel.com/articles/2006/10/08/news/local_news/news00.txt
October 30, 200618 yr From the 10/19/06 Toledo Blade: Lowest bid for U.S. 24 job is $49.5M LIMA, Ohio - An Archbold, Ohio, contractor is the apparent low bidder to widen U.S. 24 from two lanes to four between Napoleon and Defiance, the Ohio Department of Transportation said yesterday. Pending approval of bidding documents, Miller Brothers Construction will receive the contract for $49.5 million after a bid opening yesterday in Columbus. ... http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061019/NEWS11/610190302/-1/NEWS
November 11, 200618 yr A news release from the office of Governor Taft, 10/23/06: TAFT ANNOUNCES START OF WILMINGTON BYPASS PROJECT $99 million relocation to reduce congestion and encourage development LEBANON (October 23, 2006) - Governor Bob Taft today joined Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Gordon Proctor and local officials to kick off the $99 million Wilmington Bypass project to relocate State Route 73 north of the city of Wilmington. "This bypass is a priority for residents and businesses," said Taft. "It is a true example of state and local leaders working together to develop a project that will benefit the entire region. I am proud to say that the state of Ohio is fulfilling its commitment to southwest Ohio by awarding this project on time." Through the governor's $5 billion Jobs and Progress Plan to rebuild Ohio's urban arteries, complete rural routes, increase safety and reduce congestion, ODOT committed to selling the first phase of the project in 2006. ODOT awarded the $8.5 million contract for the first phase of construction on October 12. Minor mobilization and preparatory work such as utility relocation and surveying will begin in 2006 and continue through the winter. Major construction will begin in 2007. "This project marks the launch of a series of major investments into southwest Ohio including projects to rebuild Interstate 275, the Interstate 75 corridor and Interstate 71," Proctor said. "Overall, Ohio will invest more than $1 billion into the region's highway system to reduce congestion, increase safety and upgrade it to accommodate 21st century needs." Construction of the Wilmington Bypass is critical to improving the infrastructure to provide a safe, efficient route that can handle growing volumes of traffic. The completion of the Bypass will reduce congestion and truck traffic in and around the city of Wilmington, reduce truck traffic and noise in residential neighborhoods, reduce accidents, and keep the region competitive for economic growth. The promise of the bypass has already yielded positive results for the region as it was a factor in DHL's decision to stay in Ohio, retaining 6,000 jobs for the state with the possibility of an additional 900 full and part-time jobs being created. The Wilmington Bypass will be constructed as a four-lane highway in three phases with major work on the first phase scheduled to begin in early 2007. Phase one runs a length of 1.42 miles from Airborne Road to U.S. Route 22/3. Phase two will run from U.S. 22/3 to U.S. Route 68 with construction scheduled for 2008. Phase three will run from U.S. 68 to SR 73 with construction scheduled for 2009. It is anticipated each phase will take two construction seasons with all construction completed by 2010. http://www.governor.ohio.gov/releases/102306WilmingtonBypass.htm
January 2, 200718 yr http://www.irontontribune.com/articles/2006/12/24/news/news062.txt SLC: This is a project worth completing, as it will provide a high-speed four-lane limited-access expressway northeast of Portsmouth on new alignment. Currently, US 23-bound traffic must negotiate Lucasville and Portsmouth before either departing into Kentucky via the U.S. Grant Bridge (requiring drivers to go through downtown), or the Truck US 23 bridge which is 5 miles out-of-the-way. Many trucks that utilise the US 52 to US 23 route must also negotiate narrow streets in an urban environment through New Boston, Portsmouth and Lucasville. Savings on the former, via the bypass, US 52 and the Jesse Stuart Mem. Bridge would be 30+ minutes; savings on the latter, via the bypass, would be near equal. Connecting the limited-access freeway portion north of Lucasville to the limited-access expressway east of Sciotoville will provide a seamless high-speed connection for through-motorists and trucks alike and reduce congestion, pollution and improve the condition of the neighborhoods it passes through. -- Project receives support By Mark Shaffer/The Ironton Tribune Friday, December 22, 2006 9:37 AM CST Within a decade it may take less time to get to Columbus. The Portsmouth Bypass project, which has been kicked around for the past three decades without much progress, received funding for its first phase and is in good position for construction funds.
January 2, 200718 yr Derived from -- http://www.palmernet.com/fall06.pdf (Please excuse some formatting issues. Converting PDF to text is not very friendly.) An Engineer, a Bridge and a Bird by Paul Martin, PE, Branch Manager, Teays Valley, WV Perched high atop the food chain most of us listen with only casual interest as environmentalists warn us that conflicts between man and wildlife are on the rise. As we continue to expand and natural habitat shrinks, it's bound to happen. Perhaps we should pay more attention. I must admit I have never been especially good at taking "a hint" but in my defense, when walking in a town founded over 150 years ago, you would think these little issues would have been worked out by now. This is a story about a well-intentioned engineer, a bridge, and a bird. Early last year I received an e-mail asking me to visit The Alfred Hitchcock Memorial Bridge (Ironton-Russell Bridge) in Ironton, Ohio. Palmer was pursuing a bridge inspection contract for a 2400' steel truss bridge over the Ohio River and I was the closest to do the site review. My mission was simple; look it over, take some pictures. It was a beautiful day; what could go wrong? An hour and a half later I am in downtown Ironton standing face-to-face with a "Sidewalk Closed" sign. You've got to be kidding me! I didn't drive all this way to get a picture from so far away it looks like I swiped it from the Internet. I'm a bridge engineer, I have climbed plenty of bridges that did not have any decks at all, and I am not stupid enough to fall through a hole in the sidewalk. This sign can't possibly mean me. One high-step later I'm over the sign and on my merry way. This is an interesting bridge, and I could see that over the years it had been repaired a number of times. The condition of these repairs would be important to the project so it's no time before I'm halfway across the bridge and patting myself on the back for the excellent photos I'm getting. I believe I was in mid-pat when things started to go poorly for me. Suddenly a large bird whizzed by about 3 feet in front of my nose. Luckily it startled me so badly I stopped breathing and was unable to scream. That would have been embarrassing. I thought "You have jumped a pigeon; it happens; be a man and move on." I then realize this was an awfully big pigeon so I turn to watch what I thought was a hawk glide over the edge of the bridge. What an odd place to see a hawk, I thought, as I completed my back patting and continued along the sidewalk. About 50 feet later I get hammered in the top of the head. Again I'm completely shocked and wondering what in the world I've hit my head on. I'm on a sidewalk and paying a fair amount of attention to where I'm going. I can't have hit my head. Remembering the bird, I turn just in time to see it sailing over the railing. This time I'm bleeding and not about to take my eyes off that rabid beast. Sure enough, it circles back up behind me and dives. This gave me a real good idea of the last thing a mouse or rabbit might see before becoming lunch. Well, as a bridge engineer I knew exactly what to do. I began screaming like a little girl, waving my arms, and making much better time across the bridge. The bird veers off at the last second and repeats the attack one more time. It then lands on a beam to watch me scramble off the bridge. Now I admit it could have been a lot worse; one of the 30 motorists that no doubt witnessed the whole thing might have been laughing so hard he could have run me over. I guess it was sometime about here when it sunk in that I was parked on the other side of the bridge! This was not good. I thought, maybe if I wait a while, it will move on. I decided to ask some of town's natives if there were a connection between the signs and the birds. Much to my dismay, I quickly learned I was the only one in town that didn't know better than to walk on that bridge. There were in fact six of these birds living on the bridge and they were famous for attacking people. They were Peregrine Falcons, an endangered species, and one of the fastest birds in the world. Apparently they weren't too happy about being endangered. Well, it wasn't long before I was looking for a ride back to my car. Luckily the town of Russell has a cab service. I paid the fellow $10 to drive me back to my car. Now I know that I ignored the sign, and the warning on it should have been enough. However, my question to the people of Ohio and Kentucky is: could the sign not have been a little more explicit? And instead of laughing at a guy getting mauled by a bird, offer the man a ride. Almost a year has past since my attack; the scars have healed, the nightmares have subsided, and most of the ridicule has died down but the one part I just can't get past is that someone at Palmer Engineering still owes me $10.
January 5, 200718 yr From the 12/6/06 Pomeroy Daily Sentinel: Reduced crew on new Pomeroy-Mason Bridge site By Beth Sergent Wednesday, December 6, 2006 5:25 PM EST POMEROY -Motorists may've noticed a smaller work crew on the construction site of the new Pomeroy-Mason Bridge replacement project though the Ohio Department of Transportation says work remains ongoing in anticipation of a newly designed “form traveler.” A form traveler is a portable framework used to support the newly poured concrete during construction between the towers. The original form traveler that was to be used in the construction of the new Pomeroy-Mason Bridge was recently used on a a bridge in Puerto Rico where work was temporarily halted because the form traveler failed. http://www.mydailysentinel.com/articles/2006/12/06/news/local_news/news00.txt
January 5, 200718 yr From the 12/8/06 Pomeroy Daily Sentinel: Excavation continues at bridge approach By Beth Sergent Friday, December 8, 2006 10:16 PM EST POMEROY — Although the construction crew at the new Pomeroy-Mason Bridge site has been reduced in anticipation of the equipment that will eventually bridge the two towers, excavation work at the Pomeroy approach continues in anticipation of the decorative retaining wall. So far 285,000 cubic yards of earth have been moved at the site. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) anticipates that when all is said and done at the approach 330,000 cubic yards of earth will have been moved to make way for not only the approach but the decorative retaining wall. http://www.mydailysentinel.com/articles/2006/12/08/news/local_news/news02.txt
January 17, 200718 yr From the 12/11/06 Blade: Partially completed U.S. 30 is drawing illegal joy riders By DAVID PATCH BLADE STAFF WRITER LIMA, Ohio - Ohio Department of Transportation officials expect part, if not all, of the new U.S. 30 section between State Rt. 235 and Upper Sandusky to open next year. But some people apparently are jumping the gun. Particularly at its western end in Hancock County, the unfinished stretch of freeway has attracted a few joy riders in either street-legal vehicles or all-terrain four-wheelers. More at: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061211/NEWS11/612110323/-1/NEWS
January 17, 200718 yr From the 12/13/06 Findlay Courier: U.S. 30 work now 70% done By JOHN GRABER STAFF WRITER Ohio Department of Transportation officials are hoping to open the final portion of the new four-lane U.S. 30 next year. "If we have an exceptional construction season in the upcoming year, the entire stretch of the U.S. 30 project in Hancock and Wyandot counties may be ready for traffic," ODOT District 1 Deputy Director Norm R. Redick said. But that would take almost perfect weather for pretty much the entire summer. More at: http://www.thecourier.com/Issues/2006/Dec/ar_news_121306.asp#story2
January 17, 200718 yr From the 1/15/07 Wooster Daily Record: Bend in the road for relocated Route 30 stores January 15, 2007 By BOBBY WARREN Staff Writer WOOSTER -- It's been a year since a portion of U.S. Route 30 was relocated, and the reaction to how it has impacted businesses remains the same: mixed. No one The Daily Record talked to along East Lincoln Way, the stretch of road that once carried U.S. 30 traffic, said business was better. Some were happy to report sales were about the same or only slightly down compared to a year ago. Others, like Mike Harter, owner of Harter's Music, said the project hurt sales. More at: http://www.the-daily-record.com/news/article/1479752
February 10, 200718 yr From the 12/24/06 Defiance Crescent-News: Spring dates set for bidding on U.S. 24 project sections December 24, 2006 By TODD HELBERG [email protected] LIMA -- The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has set bid dates for construction on two more sections of the U.S. 24 widening project. According to project manager Kirk Slusher of ODOT's District I office here, two segments in Paulding and Defiance counties will be bid this spring. ... http://www.crescent-news.com/news/article/1207222
February 10, 200718 yr From the 2/1/07 Defiance Crescent-News: Tree cutting begins for new U.S. 24 route Todd Helberg February 1, 2007 Tree cutting to clear the way for construction of the new U.S. 24 in Paulding and Defiance counties is underway. Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) officials said the trees are being cut within the rights-of-way purchased for construction of two sections of U.S. 24 that are scheduled to be bid this spring. ... http://www.crescent-news.com/news/article/1551181
February 10, 200718 yr From the 2/9/07 Defiance Crescent-News: Legislation for U.S. 24 project okayed February 9, 2007 By TODD HELBERG [email protected] Legislation for Defiance County's further participation in the U.S. 24 widening project was okayed by county commissioners Thursday. Approved was a resolution agreeing to cooperate with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) on issues that affect county roads from Ohio 424 to where the new U.S. 24 will enter Paulding County between Ashwood and Whetstone roads. This primarily affects Krouse, Ashwood and Powers roads. ... http://www.crescent-news.com/news/article/1585461
March 3, 200718 yr From the 1/9/07 Wilmington News Journal: Lawsuit filed on bypass Gary Huffenberger Staff Writer A lawsuit filed by Wilmington bypass opponents intends to show that the process by which highway projects are approved or rejected was pruned to the extent of breaking state and federal law. "When you read the complaint, you can see how ODOT [Ohio Department of Transportation] cut corners and how the Federal Highway Administration just let them do that," said Columbus attorney David G. Cox, who represents the Clinton County Citizens for Responsible Development (CCCRD). The CCCRD authorized Cox to prepare and file legal action against the Federal Highway Administration, ODOT, the Clinton County commissioners and Woolpert Inc. ... http://www.wnewsj.com/main.asp?FromHome=1&TypeID=1&ArticleID=152183&SectionID=49&SubSectionID=156
March 3, 200718 yr From the 2/22/07 Wilmington News Journal: County: Dismiss claims Can’t sue county under NEPA, says Buckley Gary Huffenberger Staff Writer The Board of Clinton County Commissioners has filed a request in federal court to be removed as defendants in a lawsuit filed by Wilmington bypass opponents. The Clinton County Citizens for Responsible Development's (CCCRD) complaint against the county commissioners should be dismissed because the CCCRD's lawsuit has no basis to make claims of a federal nature against the commissioners, according to attorney Daniel J. Buckley, the commissioners' legal counsel. ... http://www.wnewsj.com/main.asp?SectionID=49&SubSectionID=156&ArticleID=153205
March 6, 200718 yr From the 1/10/07 Tri-County Press: Property owners, Sharonville officials want answers on railroad project BY ANDREA REEVES | COMMUNITY PRESS STAFF WRITER SHARONVILLE - Property owners affected by a planned railroad grade separation project on Reading Road, as well as council members, still want answers to when and if the project will happen. A public meeting with officials from the Ohio Department of Transportation and Sharonville council was conducted on the issue Jan. 9. After conducting a feasibility study on the project, which would construct the road beneath the railroad tracks, eliminating a railroad crossing, the Ohio Department of Transportation began engineering work for the project in 2003. Read More...
March 6, 200718 yr No way 50k work in Sharonville. That like more than Blus Ash. Don't forget about Ford, Princeton SD, Park 42 Office Park, The Postal Dist Center. Sharonville encompasses the industrial area from Sharon Road on the south to Crescentville Road on the North, Chester Road on thw West over to Reading Road on the East. They all don't cross over that RR x-ing though ;-) ^After conducting a feasibility study on the project, which would construct the road beneath the railroad tracks, eliminating a railroad crossing,.............. Uh, Over?
March 13, 200718 yr From the 1/14/07 Pomeroy Daily Sentinel: Barge strikes Pomeroy-Mason bridge Sunday, January 14, 2007 5:02 PM EST Staff report POMEROY - The Pomeroy-Mason bridge was closed Saturday afternoon after being struck by a barge. According to the Ohio Department of Transportation, the barge detached from a towboat and drifted into the bridge. It appeared the bridge only received a glancing blow and there was no major damage, but to be safe the bridge was closed until it could be properly inspected. Once the inspectors are positive no severe damage occurred, the bridge will be reopened. http://www.mydailysentinel.com/articles/2007/01/14/news/local_news/news01.txt
March 13, 200718 yr From the 1/16/07 Pomeroy Daily Sentinel: Bridge re-opens after weekend inspection Tuesday, January 16, 2007 5:22 PM EST POMEROY - Traffic was restored on the Pomeroy/Mason Bridge late Saturday afternoon after a barge struck the bridge earlier in the day. Stephanie Filson of the Ohio Department of Transportation said a barge detached from a towboat and drifted into the bridge early Saturday afternoon. The bridge, Filson said Saturday, received only a “glancing blow” from the collision. It was re-opened after inspectors determined there was no serious damage as the result of the accident. http://www.mydailysentinel.com/articles/2007/01/16/news/local_news/news02.txt
March 13, 200718 yr From the 1/23/07 Pomeroy Daily Sentinel: Bridge closing overnight for annual inspection By Charlene Hoeflich Tuesday, January 23, 2007 5:21 PM EST POMEROY - In preparation for the annual inspection of the Pomeroy-Mason Bridge which will take place next week, the bridge will be closed from 9 p.m. this Wednesday (Jan. 24) to 6 a.m. on Thursday. This initial closure will be used to take measurements and plan for repairs to be made next week, said Stephanie M. Filson, Public Information Officer, District 10, Ohio Department of Transportation. http://www.mydailysentinel.com/articles/2007/01/23/news/local_news/news02.txt
March 13, 200718 yr From the 2/4/07 Gallipolis Daily Tribune: Equipment to connect new bridge due in April By Beth Sergent Sunday, February 4, 2007 5:37 PM EST POMEROY - Meeting in the middle may now be a possibility when a crucial piece of equipment arrives in April to connect the Ohio and West Virginia spans of the new Pomeroy-Mason Bridge. Stephanie Filson, Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) information officer for District 10, said the equipment called a form traveler will allow workers to finally begin “crossing the channel.” http://www.mydailytribune.com/articles/2007/02/04/news/local_news/news00.txt
March 13, 200718 yr From the 3/1/07 Pomeroy Daily Sentinel: Pomeroy-Mason Bridge rumor 'not true' By Beth Sergent Thursday, March 1, 2007 5:03 PM EST POMEROY - The rumor circulating the Bend Area that the existing Pomeroy-Mason Bridge will close for the entire month of March is “not true,” according to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). The rumor has become so pervasive it came up at this week's session of Pomeroy Village Council and resulted in ODOT receiving a phone call from Mason, W.Va. Mayor Mindy Kearns about the situation. There is even an untrue rumor floating around that ODOT would be providing a ferry during the “so called” closure. http://www.mydailysentinel.com/articles/2007/03/01/news/local_news/news01.txt
March 22, 200718 yr http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_079225949.html Key- 1. Bids opened in Jan 2006. Bids were expected to be at $80 million, but the lowest was $110 million. 2. Design changed from one-tower to two-tower suspension, eliminating sidewalks and bike paths. 3. Portions of the $80 million budgeted to the bridge were diverted elsewhere by ODOT, leaving only $47 million remaining. 4. 80% of that $47 million is federal money, and it would take a minimum of $25 million to even get ODOT to put the project back on track. 5. The existing span is over 80 years old. Retrofits several years ago added bracing to key joints due to deterioration and weakening of the critical span. 6. A small bridge rehab project will begin this year that will involve replacing some of the deck with a lighter composite. 7. The bridge has to close in weather below 5F as the bridge becomes too brittle. -- Ironton-Russell bridge still on back burner By MIKE JAMES The Independent ASHLAND — The collected pleas of city and county officials from both sides of the river appeared unlikely to budge the Ironton-Russell bridge replacement project from the back burner where it has been cooling for a year now. Since the Ohio Department of Transportation shelved the project when bids came in prohibitively high, some of the money for the bridge has been shuffled to other construction projects, leaving insufficient funds for even a pared-down design, said ODOT project manager Gary Cochenour Tuesday.
March 29, 200718 yr http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070329/NEWS24/703290407/-1/NEWS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Article published March 29, 2007 Fort to Port gets pledge of support from Strickland But governor wants power to re-evaluate road projects By JIM PROVANCE and JOSHUA BOAK BLADE STAFF WRITERS COLUMBUS — In his strongest words of support so far, Gov. Ted Strickland said yesterday he wants to honor what he considers to be a state commitment to build the U.S. 24 Fort to Port project. But he told The Blade after an appearance at Bowling Green State University that he objects to action taken by the General Assembly to severely limit his discretion in such matters. ...
April 1, 200718 yr From the 3/31/07 Steubenville Herald Star: Bridge demolition eyed for late 2008 By WARREN SCOTT, Staff writer STEUBENVILLE — Officials with the Ohio Department of Transportation expect to begin demolition of the Fort Steuben Bridge in late 2008, while the West Virginia Department of Transportation is negotiating with an engineering consultant considered for a study to determine the best location of a new Ohio River bridge. John Brown, executive director of the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission, said Wednesday that officials with ODOT have indicated they hope to name a contractor for the Fort Steuben Bridge’s demolition in October 2008. http://www.heraldstaronline.com/articles.asp?articleID=12242
April 4, 200718 yr ^ You beat me to it! This is a bridge that was constructed with a _very_ similar design to the now-demolished U.S. Grant Bridge in Portsmouth. :(
April 16, 200718 yr Bridge expected to be completed by November Key -- 1. The new Corridor D (US 50) bridge over the Ohio River is expected to be completed on November 30. 1a. High winds caused delays and pushed the expected completion date from September. 1b. 75% of the bridge is now complete. 2. In January, a major milestone was reached when the keystone piece that connect the two halves of the bridge's arch was completed. 3. The $122 million bridge is the largest, single highway contract awarded by WVDOH. 3a. It is 4,009-ft. long. 4. Through April and into May, crews will finish erecting the steel girders and then start work on the concrete deck installation. 5. ODOT is currently working on the future US 50/OH 7 interchange. Article information: "Bridge expected to be completed by November, By BRETT DUNLAP, Parkersburg News and Sentinel" GRASSCAT EDIT: I'm posting the whole article here because stories in the Parkersburg News and Sentinel only stay on their servers for about a week. Bridge expected to be completed by November By BRETT DUNLAP, Staff Writer PARKERSBURG — Although weather has delayed some aspects of the construction of the Blennerhassett Bridge, highway officials in both West Virginia and Ohio are expecting the structure to be completed and opened by the end of November. Harsh winter weather during the earlier part of this year had postponed some work, said Julie Hartman, project manager for West Virginia Department of Highways.
April 27, 200718 yr New Wellsburg, WV to Brilliant, OH Ohio River bridge? :? Citizens hope to expedite bridge construction Map of the area Notes -- 1. U.S. Senators Robert C. Byrd and Jay Rockefeller have secured $18 million in federal funding for the planning, design and initial construction of a proposed bridge in an area south of Wellsburg, West Virginia to Brilliant, Ohio. It would cross the Ohio River. The span would also benefit Washington, Pennsylvania. 2. WVDOH is negotiating with a consultant to perform a study to identify a specific location. 3. The new bridge has an estimated price tag of $80 million to $100 million total. 4. Others want to bridge to be closer to the Fort Steuben Bridge, which connects Steubenville, Ohio to Weirton, West Virginia. It is slated to be closed and demolished in 2009. Or closer to the Market Street Bridge, which is 100 years old and needs replacing. 5. A study conducted several years ago stated a new bridge was needed in the area should the two older bridges (listed above) be closed. 6. A group of residents stated that closures along WV 2 -- due to numerous land slides -- necessitates the need for a new span. 7. Some are advocating WV 2 to be widened to four-lanes, although a new bridge to Ohio would connect to an already four-lane OH 7. It would also be far cheaper, where widening a 2 mile segment of highway (for WV 2) can exceed $66 million dollars. Article information: "Citizens hope to expedite bridge construction, By WARREN SCOTT, Weirton Daily Times, Friday, April 27, 2007"
April 27, 200718 yr Well...I...guess...it's...needed...? "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
May 16, 200718 yr Construction work of art: Bridge to open next year (w/ image) Notes -- 1. A $60 million cable-stayed Ohio River span connecting Pomeroy, Ohio to Mason, West Virginia will open in 2008. Ground was broken in May 2003. 2. The twin tower design is similar to the East Huntington Bridge and the Veterans Memorial Bridge. It will connect OH 833 (former US 33) in Ohio to WV 62 (former WV 2) in West Virginia. It will also feature four-lanes; the old Pomeroy-Mason Bridge is just two lanes with a wood-planked sidewalk that was built in 1928. 3. There have been many challenges to the project, including -- 3a. A large-scale slip. The slip was found "deep in the ground", so shafts were drilled around the tower on the Ohio side of the bridge and the earth was stabilized. 3b. Flooding issues. 3c. A rock slide on the Ohio side above OH 833 and the bridge junction that closed the highway for a few days. A retaining wall, 700 feet in length and 2-3 ft. high on the sides and 7 ft. high in the middle, will be constructed. It will contain depictions of historical events in Mason County and Meigs County. 4. The state of Ohio financed and is constructing the bridge. When complete, it will be turned over to the state of West Virginia as they own the Ohio River (and most of the bridges connecting the two states). The original span will be demolished. Article information: "Construction work of art: Bridge to open next year, by George Hohmann, Charleston Daily Mail, May 16, 2007"
May 17, 200718 yr The state of Ohio financed and is constructing the bridge. When complete, it will be turned over to the state of West Virginia as they own the Ohio River (and most of the bridges connecting the two states). I know Ohio doesn't own most of the river, but my understanding of this statement makes it sound as if Ohio built the bridge only to hand it over to WV when complete. Sounds pretty sweet if you are a WV taxpayer. Correct me if I am being ignorant about this.
May 17, 200718 yr It may sound like that, but the states bordering the river have their own set of partnerships and deals. For instance, on the Ohio River Bridges Project, Kentucky owns the river and is sponsoring most of the money for the new spans, while Indiana receives a relatively free deal out of it. On others, like the new Ironton-Russell Bridge, the majority of the money is coming from Ohio, not Kentucky, even though Kentucky owns the river.
May 24, 200718 yr From the 4/2/07 Mansfield News Journal: Stretch of old U.S. 30 renamed Lincoln Highway between Ontario, Crestline By Linda Martz News Journal RICHLAND COUNTY -- "Old" U.S. 30, between the west Ontario corporation limits and Crestline, is officially the Lincoln Highway. The name was officially changed via majority vote of people who live or own businesses on that part of the Richland County road. The 3.25-mile stretch is a quiet road that sees much less truck traffic since the $69.5 million U.S. 30 bypass project was finished in August 2005... [email protected] 419-521-7229 Lincoln Highway history The Lincoln Highway Historical Byway was the first transcontinental automobile route in the country. The Lincoln Highway crosses Richland County from east to west, running along Ohio 430, then through Mansfield -- where it is now marked by a replica concrete post on Park Avenue East near the county courthouse. On the west side of Mansfield, old U.S. 30 followed Ohio 309 before 1920. After 1920, the transcontinental highway followed U.S. 30 to Crestline. It's that post-1920 stretch, between Ontario and Crestline, that has been renamed "Lincoln Highway." News Journal staff report http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070402/NEWS01/704020313/1002/rss01
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