Mill Street Bridge Re-Opens
Ceremony Highlights Federal, State, and Local Partnership
The City of Akron joined with the University of Akron today in celebrating the opening of the new $10 million Mill Street Bridge, which re-connects Downtown Akron with the University campus, after being closed for two years.
“The opening of the bridge is important not just because of its convenience to students and businesses,” said Mayor Plusquellic, “but because it represents such a significant partnership with our federal and state governments - who with the city, helped to create construction jobs when we needed them the most.”
The project began August 10, 2009, with general contractor Kenmore Construction Company removing the old bridge - including the approach from the west side - together with the arch dividing the parking lots at Quaker Square. Construction on the bridge will continue after today’s ceremony.
Quaker Square was conceived in 1972 by architect Ted Curtis, now the University of Akron’s vice president for Capital Planning & Facilities Management. “Kenmore has done a remarkable job on this difficult project,” said Curtis. “Kenmore’s president Bill Scala told me at the beginning that the bridge would be open on the first day of classes, and he kept his promise.”
The opening of two lanes on the bridge today coincides with classes resuming at the University of Akron this week. One lane is open in each direction, and one sidewalk is open to pedestrian traffic.
The original bridge over the CSX railroad tracks separating Forge Street on the east from Mill Street on the west was constructed in 1904. There were improvements made during the 1950's, but due to the bridge’s age and condition, an entirely new bridge was needed.
The new structure was built on the same site with new architectural enhancements including LED Lighting; a new center arch that will connect the Quake Square surface parking areas beneath the bridge; and new iconic motifs of the University of Akron that will be etched on the sidewalls at a later time.
The project has also provided new pavement on Mill Street, sidewalks, curbs, streetscaping, underground utilities and streetlights between Broadway and College Streets.
To mark today’s physical re-joining of “Town and Gown,” the ceremony began with a parade of small vehicles from each side of the bridge. The City provided the Akron Police Cushman vehicle with its Downtown beat officer to lead its side of the procession, accompanied by Downtown Akron Partnership’s Ranger vehicle and Lock 3's John Deere Gator. Two of the city’s bicycle officers also were among the first to cross the bridge. The University sent its 4-wheelers across from the east side where Mill becomes Forge, with the University Police Department’s pick-up truck and the ubiquitous ROO express bus.
Joining Plusquellic and Curtis at the podium were Samantha Herd, District Director for Congresswoman Betty Sutton, and Pat Lowry, Director of Outreach and Special Projects for Representative Tim Ryan.
Funding for the project was provided principally by an appropriation from the federal government, which together with “stimulus” funds from the ARRA created about 110 jobs to date, over the 24 month construction period. The funding breakdown:
Federal:
Discretionary appropriation $ 4,313,400
Bridge Replacement $ 1,600,000
ARRA (repair and reline sewer $ 360,000
under CSX railroad)
Ohio: Public Works $ 2,598,000
City of Akron:
Water Capital Fund $ 36,000
(match for ARRA)
General Obligation bonds $ 509,000
Street Lighting fund (assessment) $ 300,000
AT &T $ 400,000
University of Akron $ 20,000
$ 10,136,400
The general contractor for the project is Kenmore Construction Company of Akron. Subcontractors on the project included:
Mohawk Rebar, Strongsville Steel
American Roadway Logistics, Akron Signage, Striping
Thompson Electric, Munroe Falls Electrical
Ohio Bridge Stripping, New Philadelphia Formwork Stripping
Concrete Cutting Systems, Akron Concrete Saw cutting
Armstrong Steel Erectors, Newark Reinforcing steel
