Port Clinton lift bridge a rare structure in Ohio

PORT CLINTON – The Ohio Department of Transportation has only four “lift” bridges in the state, and two of them are in northwestern Ohio — the Toledo Craig Street Bridge and Port Clinton’s Ohio 163 bridge.

The local bridge, built in 1932, is expected to be closed for replacement in October 2016 and completed in May 2017, said Theresa Pollick, public relations spokeswoman for ODOT District 2. Lane restrictions can be expected before next fall, though.

The $12.9 million project has required extensive planning to replace the aging bascule spans. The Port Clinton bridge gets more than 3,000 lifts per year, ODOT reported.

“This one is so unique because of its age,” Pollick said.

Not only does the local bridge need the bascule spans to be fabricated, but 21st-century electronics have to be configured to operate a bridge constructed 80 years ago.

ODOT also recognizes the importance of the bridge to Port Clinton’s tourist season and that it is a link between the north and south side of the city.

Pollick said the key was to make this a fall-winter project.

“We did not have a final design until spring,” she said.

Although local officials were given an update on the Ohio 163 bridge plan this summer after the project was bid out, the location work will not begin until next year. Pollick said ODOT will be updating community leaders again in mid-2016.

The project was awarded in May 2015 as a joint venture between Ruhlin Co. and Perran Munroe Street Bridge, and it was awarded a year before construction will begin on the location because of the need for special fabrication.

While the bridge is closed, traffic will be detoured to Ohio 2. All the work that might affect the traffic in the marine channel is expected to be completed during the winter shutdown of Nov. 30, 2016, to April 1, 2017.

A lift schedule will be maintained for boats throughout the actual construction of the bridge.

rrbrooks@gannett.com

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