Residents and local businesses in Akron are preparing for the start of a major infrastructure project as the Bowery Street Bridge replacement is set to kick off this upcoming Monday. The aging bridge, which serves as an arterial connection over the Ohio Canal and Cascade Parking Plaza, will see a full deck replacement and new sidewalks, parapets, fencing, expansion joints, and approach slabs, as per the city's announcement.
According to the City of Akron's official statement, the project will also include a substantial overhaul of the existing bridge abutments and removal of the ramp between W. Bowery Street and Quaker Street, paving way for a raised bike path. For 240 days, starting from March 3, Bowery St. will close between S. Main St. and Quaker St., with detours being directed via S. Main St. and State St. Despite the closure, Cascade Parking Deck will remain accessible from Mill St., and Quaker St. will be reachable through Ash St.
Local business owners have been made aware of the impending changes as the project gets underway. The city has teamed up with Downtown Akron Partnership to schedule monthly stakeholder meetings to stay engaged with the business community. "Downtown Akron has seen more than its fair share of construction over the last decade," Akron Mayor Shammas Malik was quoted as saying in the City of Akron's release. He acknowledged the construction fatigue but emphasized the vital nature of these projects for long-term safety and infrastructure health, adding, "We’ll be communicating throughout the construction with business owners to ensure the ongoing success of our downtown establishments and we encourage residents to keep supporting our local institutions through this project."
The bridge overhaul comes with a price tag of $9.62 million, funding of which is divided between several entities – $6.2 million from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), $1 million courtesy of the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC), $1.1 million from the City of Akron's pockets, and the rest from third party utility providers. The investment signifies a commitment to upkeeping crucial infrastructure that serves the city's residents and strengthens its connectivity.
