ODOT Proposes SR 14 Bridge Replacement

SOLON, OH — The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has proposed replacing the SR 14 Bridge, also known as Whitehouse Crossing in Garfield Heights.

ODOT would like public input on the project before moving forward. The project would fix the bridge, which crosses over the Norfolk Southern and Wheeling & Lake Erie railroad lines, Garfield Park Reservation and Chaincraft Road.

ODOT officials said they completed a study looking into nine alternatives for the bridge, including rehabilitating and replacing the bridge. The agency said it now prefers replacing the bridge.

The project would replace the existing bridge and install a new bridge over the railroad lines and Chaincraft Road. The structure would include a sidewalk on the north side of Broadway and a multi-use pathway on the south side of Broadway.

Traffic will be maintained during construction on SR 14 by working on one side of the structure and then the other side. That should allow one lane to remain open in each direction throughout the project. The Henry Street and Broadway Avenue intersection would be closed during construction.

The SR 14 Bridge project would have permanent right-of-way impacts to Garfield Park Reservation. The proposal to build a new bridge, north of the existing bridge, would maintain traffic and reduce the curve of the bridge. The land required for the new bridge would be exchanged for land no longer needed for the old bridge.

The net impact of the project would be under 0.1 acres, ODOT said. The Cleveland Metroparks, who operate Garfield Park Reservation, requested construction of vegetated slopes for the new SR 14 road through the park, instead of traditionally mechanically stabilized earth walls.

Other minor environmental impacts are anticipated due to this project including endangered bat habitat and potential contaminated soils, ODOT said.

To further review the project, and to share comments on the proposal, visit the ODOT website. Public comments on the project will close Feb. 15.