Weekend drivers on Parma's Ridge Road got hit with a nightmare commute when a water main rupture tore open the pavement, leaving a cavernous hole and choking traffic on one of the city's busiest east-west corridors. The city shut down both northbound and southbound lanes between Southington Drive and Buckingham Drive before crews could scrape together a single lane in each direction. City engineers say the fix will not be quick, and the final price tag is expected to be steep.
According to Cleveland.com, the break involved a 12-inch water main and chewed up roughly three and a half lanes of Ridge Road pavement between Southington and Buckingham drives. Cleveland Water crews rolled in on July 18 to track down and shut off valves, and the city estimates the damage and repairs will top $400,000. By Sunday morning, one lane in each direction was back open while officials mapped out a plan for permanent pavement repairs that will hold up longer than a quick patch job.
Traffic and Safety
Mayor Tim DeGeeter said the rupture and lane closures turned rush hour into a headache and that city crews have been in constant contact with the regional water supplier. "We are working with our partner, Cleveland Water," DeGeeter said, as reported by News 5 Cleveland. Despite the torn-up roadway and traffic backups, officials said there were no reported accidents tied directly to the collapse.
Repair Timeline and Cost
Parma's service and engineering departments met with contractor quality-control and inspection crews to walk through the process for permanent pavement repairs, according to city officials. Tony Vannello said construction is expected to start sometime next week or no later than the week after, with the full pavement restoration projected to take about a week once work begins, weather cooperating. The engineering department has applied for emergency funding from the Ohio Public Works Commission to help cover the bill, Cleveland.com reported.
Drivers should brace for lingering delays along Ridge Road while crews stage equipment and pave the trench. Residents who spot open breaks or run into water service issues are asked to report them to Cleveland Water at 216-664-3060 or to Parma's Service Department at 440-885-8186. The City of Parma notes that water breaks on city streets are handled by Cleveland Water, which is dispatched to locate and shut valves before repairs begin. City officials say they will post public updates as construction dates are finalized.
