The bridge that spans the east branch of the Rocky River on West 130 Street is scheduled to be rebuilt by Cuyahoga County next year. West 130 Street is shared by North Royalton and Strongsville, as it is the boundary between both cities.
North Royalton City Council recently adopted an ordinance that recognizes the need and purpose of improvement. It gives consent to Cuyahoga County to participate in the cost of the construction. The ordinance states that North Royalton will participate with the county in the cost by an allocation from the county’s Motor Vehicle License Tax Fund, in order to pay for the project. Cuyahoga County will make preparations of construction plans and specifications, which include the necessary engineering reports for the improvements, according to county standards for county road and bridge construction. They will also supervise and administrate the project. Once the project is completed, the city agrees to maintain their portion of the roadway. The county will maintain the structural element of the bridge.
The 100-foot-long bridge was built in the 1950s. It has been reported that over 11,000 vehicles traverse the bridge daily. It is located about 1,500 feet south of Royalton Road. It is estimated that the bridge project will cost about $3.8 million. Although county officials have stated that the bridge is safe to use, they inspect bridges every year and try to be proactive several years before they may need work. They have applied to the state for funding of the project. In the application, they state that there are leach and rust stains on the deck and significant deterioration of the concrete beams, that indicate a long-term contact with moisture. The bridge surface is asphalt, which does not currently meet county standards. The expansion joints and drainage holes also do not meet those standards, and may contribute to the deterioration of the bridge. Also, against current standards, is the narrow sidewalks. The three-foot wide sidewalk makes it hard for pedestrians to navigate. To meet current standards, a six-foot wide sidewalk is proposed. Also proposed, is a twelve-foot-wide all-purpose path, which will be connected to the existing path, which will make a seamless connection to the Cleveland Metropark Mill Stream Run Reservation and its amenities.
A sanitary sewer replacement will be replaced and the existing storm sewer improved as part of the project. It is expected to be completed in approximately one year from the commencement.
By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer