CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH— The Cuyahoga County Department of Public Works in cooperation with the City of Independence and the Village of Valley View proposes to replace two deficient bridges on Rockside Road in the City of Independence and Village of Valley View in Cuyahoga County.  

The first bridge is over the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR) tracks (SFN 1830260) referred to as Bridge 3.23 and the second bridge is over the Cuyahoga River (SFN 1830279) referred to as 3.32. The replacement structures will be generally in the same alignment on Rockside Road. The project will include wider piers, new superstructures, and new decks on Bridge 3.23, and complete replacement of Bridge 3.32. The project will add a new 6-foot-wide sidewalk on the north side of Rockside Road. Traffic on Rockside Road will be maintained during construction, using part-width techniques and detour. Construction work is expected to begin in Spring 2025 and will last approximately 24 months.   

The project will require permanent and temporary easement or right-of-way from within the boundaries of Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) to facilitate bridge replacements. Approximately 0.149-acre of temporary right-of-way and 0.018-acre of permanent right-of-way will be needed. The temporary right-of-way takes from CVNP will be needed for less than the time needed for construction but will last up to 22 months. 

The Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a recognized recreational property and provides protection from adverse impacts associated with federal-aid transportation projects.  

The Cuyahoga County Department of Public Works consulted with the National Park Service regarding project impacts and received concurrence that the project will not adversely affect the recreational activities, features or attributes that qualify the property for protection. The following measures to minimize harm are being implemented as part of the project:

• Access to Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) and its associated recreational facilities will be maintained during construction during normal CVNP hours.

   

• Construction work in Areas 1, 2, & 3 will be controlled by railroad flagmen, all equipment must be clear of track traffic when trains are present. Short-term closures will be required to the CVSR Rockside Station driveway (at the west end of Bridge 3.32) for the movement of construction equipment or to perform overhead work. Driveway closure will be limited to 15 minutes or less at any time.

   

• No staging and/or storage of construction equipment will occur within the known boundaries of the Section 4(f) property.

   

• While the Towpath Trail Lock 39 Trailhead driveway is outside the project area, it is within the affected area of the part-width construction maintenance of traffic. A plan note will be included to maintain public access to the Trailhead during all phases of construction.

   

• Temporary construction fencing will be installed along proposed construction limits prior to the start of construction activities to protect the existing 4(f) property and the public.

   

• Appropriate signage shall be installed to alert all Cuyahoga National Valley Park users of short-term closures and to direct users to additional access points.

   

• The Contactor and the County shall be required to closely coordinate the construction schedule with Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad prior to the start of construction activities.

   

• The Contractor and the County will be responsible for minimizing the potential spread of invasive species onto park land that could result from construction activities.

   

• The Contractor and the County will complete and apply for a Special Use Permit to the park for areas designated as temporary easements and/or ROWs. No construction activity will occur on NPS managed lands prior to the approval and coordination of said Special Use Permit.

   

• The Contractor and County will consult with the NPS regarding any damages directly or indirectly associated with the project caused by the Contractor, including those that extend beyond project limits. If damages are documented, the Contractor/County and the NPS will meet within five (5) business days to agree on the nature and extent of the damages and proposed mitigation. All mitigation will be approved by the park superintendent and completed by the County/Contractor. All costs associated with the mitigation will be the responsibility of the County/Contractor.

   

• The County/Contractor will ensure that the project revegetates the area disturbed by construction activities with the incorporation of native and/or NPS approved vegetation.

   

  Due to the permanent acquisition of land from the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the Cuyahoga County Department of Public Works is seeking public input regarding the proposed impacts. Please provide comments to Matt Pastorelle by mail or e-mail:

• E-mail: mpastorelle@cuyahogacounty.us

   

• Mail:   Cuyahoga County Department of Public Works
              Attention: Matt Pastorelle
              2079 East Ninth Street

Cleveland, OH 44115

Comments must be received by Wednesday, April 10, 2024.