ODOT preps local businesses for bridge closure

NORTH LIMA — Owners and employees expressed concerns, as well as support, when Ohio Department of Transportation representatives today distributed information to about 100 businesses along Western Reserve Road in advance of the 75-day bridge closure over Interstate 680.

Work is to begin next Monday.

“Any time we’re going to lose business,” it’s a bad thing, said Jim Pugh, who with his wife owns Ely’s To Go, a restaurant at 850 E. Western Reserve Road.

“But we think our customers will find their way around,” he said.

“I have customers that, unsolicited, called and said, ‘Mike, don’t worry,’” said Mike Landgraff, owner of The Bread Chef, located beside Ely’s.

“I think in the long run, it’s just going make it better. ... It’s the cost of progress,” he said.

The bridge closure is part of an $8.9 million project that will replace and widen the bridge over 680, which has an average daily traffic count of 21,800 vehicles. The project also will add a westbound right-turn lane on Western Reserve at the 680-northbound entrance ramp.

There will be various daily lane restrictions on 680 in both directions under Western Reserve Road during the bridge replacement.

For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com