Important connection to be reestablished for businesses, travelers

Cleveland (Tuesday, October 26, 2010) – The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the City of Berea today announced that the Front Street Bridge over the CSX and Norfolk Southern Railroad tracks will officially reopen on Wednesday, October 27, 2010.

The Front Street Bridge project was put in motion by the City of Berea to alleviate traffic delays caused by the increasing amount of train activity along the CSX and Norfolk Southern Railroad tracks that intersected Front Street.  The $18 million project will increase traffic flow efficiencies and reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emissions by cars waiting on passing trains. 

Neighbors and friends are invited to join laborers, construction personnel and project officials at 1 p.m. for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the reopening. The bridge will be officially reopened to vehicular traffic on Wednesday following the celebration.

“This project is more than alleviating traffic congestion, it will be the catalyst for the redevelopment of Berea’s north end,” said City of Berea Mayor Cyril Kleem.  “In fact, that redevelopment has already started with the Federal stimulus money we received through the County Land Bank to raze abandoned commercial properties for the creation of new opportunities.”

Front Street was closed on May 4, 2009.  The entire project reconstructed nearly half-a-mile along Front Street and constructed three new bridges over the CSX and Norfolk Southern train tracks and an access road.  Nearly three miles of new storm sewers, sanitary sewers and waterlines were placed and 239 new drainage structures were installed.

The intersection of Lou Groza Boulevard and Depot Street was re-aligned and new, overhead signals and decorative lights were placed along Front Street north of Fourth Avenue.

Minor operations will continue through June 2011 with little or no impacts to traffic.   Approximately 14,650 vehicles use the bridge each day.

###

For more information contact:
The ODOT District 12 Communications Office at (216) 584-2005

or email D12.PublicInformation@dot.state.oh.us