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Western Reserve Road bridge project is on schedule for August completion
Most nearby businesses report steady numbers
boardman
The Western Reserve Road bridge over Interstate 680 is on track to reopen by the end of August after a 75-day closure that began June 15.
“Things are in good shape,” said Justin Chesnic, Ohio Department of Transportation District 4 spokesman.
The bridge closure is for an $8.9 million replacement and widening project that also will add a right-turn lane on westbound Western Reserve at the 680-northbound entrance ramp.
Workers have set the bridge beams and now are building the decking, Chesnic said. He expects the crew to begin pouring concrete in the next week or two, and then to build the walls.
Work on the addition of a turn lane also is set to begin next week.
“Really then it’ll just be a matter of putting the striping on and finishing touches,” Chesnic said. “Really, things are on schedule.”
Progress could always be delayed by weather, but he noted that workers got through a rain-soaked June without any problems.
Businesses near the closed bridge, for the most part, report steady numbers over the last 45 days.
“The first day, we experienced a little slowness, but not since then. We’ve been pleasantly surprised. We haven’t experienced a slowdown of any kind,” said Jim Pugh, who with his wife owns Ely’s To Go, a vegan and vegetarian restaurant in the plaza at 850 E. Western Reserve.
Pugh said it helps that Ely’s is a niche business with a loyal customer base. “People seek us out. ... We’re very fortunate. We’re not complaining one bit,” he said.
The Bread Chef, neighbor to Ely’s, reports a similar experience.
“We have been seeing a lot of new faces, surprisingly,” said employee Jennifer Angelilli. She attributes that to many people having to change their usual driving routes.
The detour recommended by ODOT is state Route 7 to state Route 626 to state Route 164.
“In the long run, we are seeing a small crunch for the customers who have been [regular customers] ... but the new faces are compensating,” Angelilli said. “All in all, truly I feel like it’s been a benefit to us with the new faces.”
One business that reports a different story is the McDonald’s location at 900 W. Western Reserve Road. The restaurant altered its hours in response to the project.
“Starting Wednesday, July 1, 2015, we will be closing the lobby at 10 p.m. while the bridge over 680 is closed,” reads a sign on the door.
A slowdown in business is the reason for that, a restaurant manager said. The lobby previously was open until 10:30 p.m. Drive-through hours remain the same.
“It has slowed down a lot,” she said of business.
Chesnic said ODOT District 4 has not received any complaints about the detour or traffic. Exit and entrance ramps at the interchange remain open.