Pedestrian bridge over I-680 closed for now

Staff Report

YOUNGSTOWN — Recent criminal activity on the pedestrian bridge over Interstate 680 at Elberen Street has prompted the city’s street department to close it temporarily, said deputy director of public works Charles Shasho.

A police report from Sunday stated that a vehicle driving north on I-680 was struck with an object that was thrown from the bridge. The report said a teenage male was standing on the bridge dropping objects onto vehicles.

Although only one report was documented, Shasho said he heard there were about five incidents.

The bridge is fenced in, but there was an intentionally created hole in the fencing. The Ohio Department of Transportation is responsible for the bridge upkeep and has made temporary repairs on the damaged fence, Shasho said. ODOT intends to make the permanent repairs, he added.

Last July, meetings were held to discuss the demolition of the bridge that links Elberen Street to Roy Street crossing over I-680.

ODOT hasn’t given any final indication whether the bridge will come down, Shasho said.