LORAIN — Ohio Department of Transportation officials promised Friday to figure out what went wrong with the Charles Berry Bascule Bridge project, which isn’t expected to open until mid-November — well beyond the completion target of late August or early September.

“We’re going to get the job done … and then find out what went wrong,” said John Hart, deputy director of ODOT’s District 3.

More than 30 top officials, including Lorain Mayor Anthony Krasienko, attended a meeting Friday about the closing of the bridge, which connects east and west Lorain at the mouth of the Black River.

Residents and business owners were in attendance, too.

And while Krasienko said it appears ODOT was on track to get the job done, his words didn’t reassure those dealing daily with the loss of the bridge. Already, several businesses have closed, citing a drop in business as a result of the bridge’s closing.

“A great injustice,’’ is how the Rev. Bradley J. Donahue of Lorain Christian Temple described the bridge’s delayed re-opening.

Donahue questioned whether criminal charges could result from the after-completion probe, but Hart said that’s not where the examination is likely to lead.

Planning for the $1.7 million renovation of the bridge began in 2004. Three consulting firms, Barr & Prevost Engineering of Columbus, HNTB of Kansas City, Mo., and URS Corp. of Tampa, were hired to assist ODOT, said Ken Wright, administrator of ODOT District 3’s Transportation Planning and Programs department.

The extra consultants were needed because the bridge work involves mechanical engineering and ODOT specializes in civil engineering, he said.

If any errors and omissions are found, anyone responsible could have to pay for costs associated with the job, Wright said.

The problem boils down to the fact that parts needed were not ordered, Wright said.

What is holding up the job is installation of a $17,000 device in the braking system and seven parts costing several hundred dollars each that will help take signals from the bridge drive train and translate them into data the operating console will understand, Wright said.

Resident Jim Palmer pointed out that contractors Great Lakes Construction and Lake Erie Electric were not at Friday’s meeting, which was held at Lorain City Hall. But Hart quickly jumped in: “It is not the fault of the contractors.”

Wright, too, came to their defense.

“If we start putting them on notice we think they did something wrong, they’re not going to be as cooperative,” Wright said.

Hart said despite the problem, the work will make the 68-year-old bridge far more dependable and extend its life well into the century, Hart said.

“There will be a back-up motor,” Hart said. “If one goes out, we will still be able to get the bridge down.”

Michael Challender, executive director of the Lorain Growth Corporation, said the project taught all the players a lot of lessons about planning for future projects such as signs touting businesses that are still open and alternate bike and alternate circle tour signs.

Local businesses saw a 30 percent sales decrease over 2007, he said. Seven businesses lost an estimated $359,698, according to Challender.

Plus, people or businesses who have used the Henderson Bridge detour twice a day pay on average an extra $8.85 a week in gas, he said.

Contact Cindy Leise at 329-7245 or cleise@chroniclet.com. 

---

Print this story
Report an inappropriate comment

---

In order to comment, you must agree to our user agreement and discussion guidelines.

Need help? Email Us.

---