SUMMIT COUNTY, Ohio — Construction is planned to begin on a $150 million project to completely replace the State Route 8 bridge connecting Cuyahoga Falls and Akron, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Built in 1953 and carrying about 115,000 cars per day, the blue-painted bridge has undergone numerous maintenance activities over the years and, although it is safe, needs replaced, ODOT said.

The project, now set to begin in fall of 2023, has been in the works for several years.

During public meetings in 2015 and 2016, ODOT presented a plan to begin work in 2021, with project costs estimated at more than $120 million. Public comments and responses are available to read online.

Although design work was complete, the project was delayed when Ohio’s funding priorities shifted because of the pandemic, resulting in shortfalls, ODOT said.

During construction, the existing bridge will remain standing as the first new bridge is built on the west side of the roadway. (Photo courtesy of ODOT)

Now, with funding secured, the project aims to replace the 1,500‐foot long, steel bridge that stands 180 feet above the Little Cuyahoga River Valley, several railroad corridors and East North Street.

The current highway carries vehicles north and south across the bridge, with three lanes going in each direction. The project will construct two new side-by-side bridges, with four lanes running each way, ODOT said.

The new bridge has been designed with delta-style bridge piers, lighting, fencing and a unique approach feature to ensure the structure is “a prominent community feature for decades to come,” ODOT said in a release.

ODOT said it expects Route 8 traffic to be maintained throughout the entire project.

The entrance ramp at Perkins Street going north will extend all the way across the bridge and become the exit ramp at Glenwood Avenue. (Photo courtesy of ODOT)

During construction, the existing bridge will remain standing as the first new bridge is built on the west side of the roadway, ODOT said.

Once the new bridge is complete, all six lanes of Route 8 traffic will be redirected to the new bridge.

At that point, the old bridge will be taken down while the second new bridge is built where the old bridge stood, ODOT said.

In the new highway configuration, the entrance ramp at Perkins Street going north will extend all the way across the bridge and become the exit ramp at Glenwood Avenue, ODOT said.

ODOT plans to make permanent improvements to the Freedom Trail, including building a new, paved connector that links to Perkins Street and the trail. (Photo courtesy of ODOT)

The entrance ramp at Glenwood Avenue heading south will extend all the way across the bridge to become the exit ramp at Perkins Street.

The project design includes noise walls to be installed in four locations, including:

• the west side of Route 8 between Glenwood Avenue and Lookout Park;
• the east side of Route 8 between the former Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Center and Celebration Church; and
• the east and west sides of Route 8 between Adams and Perkins streets.

The work will cause a slight disruption to Summit Metro Parks’ Freedom Trail, which runs below the bridge, ODOT said. Trail detours will be provided when access-road construction causes two separate six-month closures, with the possibility of other closures or trail restrictions, ODOT said.

ODOT, which partnered with Metro Parks and the city of Akron, said it plans to make permanent improvements to the trail, including building a new, paved connector that links to Perkins Street and Freedom Trail.

Behind the Freedom Trail a scenic overlook under the new bridges will be constructed, ODOT said.

The new bridge has been designed with delta-style bridge piers, lighting, fencing and a unique approach feature. (Photo courtesy of ODOT)