First Major Ohio City to Accomplish Endeavor
Akron officially opened the last section of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath through the city today, completing a project and fulfilling a vision that began almost 40 years ago.
Akron is the first major city in the state of Ohio to have the entire length of the hike and bike trail reconstructed within its corporate limits.
“The Towpath truly makes Akron a gateway city to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park,” said Mayor Don Plusquellic. “Not only does the Towpath preserve a major part of the community’s history, but it has created a recreation asset that thousands of people will use every week.”
The city constructed the final section of trail between Falor Street at Spaghetti Warehouse to Bartges Street at a cost of $3.2 million - more than half from federal funding sources, including the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), better known as the federal stimulus.
The City also reconstructed the Bartges Street bridge over the canal at a cost of $2.9 million -most of which were federal funds from ARRA. The bridge, which was built with arches that can be maintained at a lower cost than other types of spans will be ready for its opening by the end of November.
“Not only are we creating a new link to our Downtown from points north and south, but we are replacing a dangerously decrepit piece of infrastructure,” said the Mayor, “This project provided jobs to more than 50 construction workers during a period when our economy needed this boost.” The general contractor on both projects was Akron’s Kenmore Construction Company. Construction of the 2500-foot section of the Towpath was difficult and more expensive because it takes users through property that was once the B.F. Goodrich factory complex.
“The dedication of the Bartges Towpath Trail is a milestone in the development of the 101-mile Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail,” said Dan Rice, President and CEO of the Ohio-Erie Canalway Coalition. “This accomplishment is due to the outstanding vision and leadership of Mayor Plusquellic and City Council, and its partners.”
At today’s ceremonies, in addition to Rice, other speakers included Keith Shy, Executive Director of Metro Parks Serving Summit County, and Paul Stoehr, Deputy Superintendent of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
“With the completion of the Bartges Avenue section of the Towpath Trail,” said Rice, “approximately 87 of the 101-miles of the trail are complete.” Rice said the city of Cleveland has yet to begin construction of the Towpath through the city, and sections remain unfinished through Massillon and Tuscarawas County. The last section of the trail through Summit County near Clinton is scheduled to be completed in April, 2012.
While the entire trail was opened today through Akron, about 100 feet of towpath remain to be paved behind the old BF Goodrich Power plant, which is still in use by Akron Energy Systems to produce steam for Downtown buildings. The Falor Street bridge is to be removed this month and then the paving can be completed.
Just as the new section is being opened, the very first section of the Towpath Trail - 1,250 feet that runs from Bartges to Thornton Street - which was constructed through adjacent Channelwood Village in 1972, will be re-built by Cavanaugh Construction Company beginning this month to bring the Towpath up to current standards.
Sources of Project Funds:
Federal Funds:
$131,600 Federal Transportation grant
$1,400,000 “Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality” funds via AMATS
$400,000 ARRA
City Capital Budget:
$1,349,000.
Total $3,281,000.
Bartges St. Bridge
Federal Funds:
$2,100,000 ARRA,
$200,000 Ohio Public Works
City Capital Budget:
$628,000.
Total $2,928,000.
