The state has awarded a $400,000 contract to retrofit metal joints on the Ironton-Russell Bridge, a project that will require the structure’s closure during daytime hours for several weeks this year.

Friday, August 31, 2001

The state has awarded a $400,000 contract to retrofit metal joints on the Ironton-Russell Bridge, a project that will require the structure’s closure during daytime hours for several weeks this year.

"The retrofit project is a result of a series of tests which have been conducted on the bridge during the last two years," Ohio Department of Transportation District 9 deputy director John F. Hagen said.

"As a result of the testing, cracks were found on certain pins which carry the bridge’s weight load," Hagen said. "The retrofit project will provide relief to the distressed pins, thereby ensuring the bridge’s safety for the traveling public."

Last week, Tri-State Steel Construction Incorporated of Strongsville, Ohio, was awarded a $399,550 contract for the project.

The cost, which will fund reinforcement supports along the bridge’s distressed joints, is about 13 percent below the state’s estimate of $460,000, Hagen said.

ODOT decided the retrofit was needed after data collected from the University of Cincinnati Infrastructure Institute since the fall of 1999 was used to determine the fatigue condition and load carrying capabilities of the bridge, he said.

Hagen also noted that while tests have revealed cracks or defects in some of the pins, the studies show that the distressed pins are within the acceptable range for current weight limits to carry traffic across the present structure safely.

Throughout much of the retrofit project, traffic will be maintained in one lane with the aid of flaggers, ODOT said.

However, there are two sections on the bridge slated for repair in which a full closure of the bridge will be required for the contractors to install the reinforcement supports, Hagen said.

Working with the contractor to keep these closure times to a minimum, ODOT has planned that the bridge will be closed during daytime hours only, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s expected that this portion of the work will take three to four weeks to complete.

ODOT anticipates keeping the bridge open to traffic during the evening and overnight hours.

A pre-construction meeting with the contractors is in the process of being scheduled

ODOT expects to issue a construction start date after the meeting.