MAYOR'S MESSAGE

Craig A. Stough 3/18/2005

"Main Street Bridge Improvements"

Planning is underway for the replacement of the Main Street bridge over Ten Mile Creek, just south of Monroe Street, in the City of Sylvania by 2007. The current 60' span was built in 1960 and has been determined by engineers to be more practical to replace rather than to repair.

Bridge designs are being studied that could blend with the architecture of our downtown, including brick piers, decorative lighting and railings, and locations for decorative pennants and flower baskets. The Sylvania Community Arts Commission is assisting the City and the engineering consultant in proposing options for the appearance of the bridge.

The Lucas County Engineer is working with the City to fund and build this project, and has assisted in applying for federal and state funding to pay a majority of the cost. The City of Sylvania always looks to grants when rebuilding major road arteries to reduce the cost to local taxpayers.

The projected budget for the bridge replacement is $748,000. A $300,000 federal grant has been secured to pay for 40% of the project. An Ohio Public Works Commission grant for $245,000 will pay for 34%. The Lucas County Engineer will fund $118,575 or 16% of the project and the City of Sylvania will pay $75,425 or 10%.

The bridge construction is scheduled to begin in late 2006 or early 2007, depending upon when the federal and state grant funds are actually received. I have requested that traffic be maintained in both directions during construction if at all possible. This will require the bridge to be built one lane side at a time. Temporary lane widths will be narrow, perhaps too narrow for trucks and larger vehicles. Totally closing the bridge or making it one way during construction would require significant detours and congestion on those detour routes.

The engineering firm of Mannik and Smith has been hired by Sylvania City Council to design the bridge, and is expected to complete their work later this year.