Proposed Bridge Removal
BOWLING GREEN (Monday, May 23, 2016) - The Wood County Port Authority (WCPA) is proposing the removal of the Upper Maumee River Swing Bridge (Swing Bridge) over the Maumee River, which was previously owned by CSX Railroad and is now deteriorating. The bridge is located approximately 150 feet downriver (northeast) from Ohio Turnpike (Interstates 80/90) bridge in Wood and Lucas Counties and is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Construction is expected to begin in 2017 and last approximately 6 months. All work is weather permitting.
Due to the bridge being eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, coordination with the Ohio Historic Preservation Office was conducted. The proposed demolition of the Swing Bridge is considered an ‘adverse effect’ to a historic bridge. Continued coordination with the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office is currently underway for this project. Additional information can be found at http://www.dot.state.oh.us/districts/D02/Pages/Environmental.aspx.
As part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, WCPA is seeking public comment on this project. Comments are being sought on the social, environmental and economic impacts of the propose project. Environmental impacts include those associated with historic, archaeological, ecological resources, hazardous materials, and general concerns with the project. Written comments concerning the project may be submitted to Rex Huffman, Legal Counsel for the Wood County Port Authority, at 932 Dixie Highway, Rossford, Ohio 43460, 419-666-7130, or via email at rhuffman@spitlerhuffmanlaw.com. Comments will be received until June 22, 2016.
The Ohio Department of Transportation maintains the state's largest man-made asset--the transportation system. ODOT's mission is to provide the safe and easy movement of people and goods from place to place. As a $2.8 billion per year enterprise, ODOT invests the bulk of its resources in system preservation through maintenance, construction and snow and ice operations.
The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by ODOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 11, 2015, and executed by FHWA and ODOT.
