ASHLAND — Ashland City Council is seeking bids for the reconstruction of a stone bridge estimated to be older than a century along Claremont Avenue.
The “Claremont Avenue Bridge” runs over Town Run, the creek that runs under most of downtown Ashland. It sits next to the city’s municipal building.
The project is estimated to cost $1.3 million, but city officials say the true cost for the city will be around $707,000 after receiving two state grants.
One of the grants will total $424,741, from the Ohio Public Works Commission. The other — from the Ohio Department of Transportation — will total $226,660.
The bridge is old.
“We can’t tell just how old it is,” said Mayor Matt Miller, referring to the bridge. He said records indicate it was built in 1900 but officials still aren’t sure on an exact date.
Council reduced the load limit on the bridge several years ago, meaning larger trucks should not travel on it.
“The bridge’s load rating right now is around 26 to 27 tons,” he said, adding the new bridge will mean larger trucks, or those with six axles or weighing up to 40 tons, will be able to traverse it properly.
“But the most pressing concern is the erosion going on under the bridge,” Kremser said, adding the underpass was constructed of stone possibly in the late 1800s.
More torrential rains means the water has eroded the stone over time, he said.
Construction is expected to begin in the spring, Miller said.
The road will likely be closed during construction, the mayor said.
“Next year will be a great year for the city, because we will be doing wonderful improvements to pieces of infrastructure around the city, however, people might find it a bit inconvenient,” he said.
Miller said Claremont Avenue, between Baney and Smith roads, will receive work next year as well. The city received a $2 million grant for that project.
Construction on the $1.74 million roundabout is also planned to begin next year at the intersection of Cottage Street, U.S. Route 250 and Faultless Drive.
“So those are three very, very significant projects for this city,” Miller said. “But if we could just bare with each other as get through them, we’ll have great improvements to the city all over.”
