Current Construction Projects
East Vine St. Bridge Replacement
May 30, 2025
The City has received a Municipal Bridge Program grant of $788,674 from ODOT to replace the East Vine St. Bridge over Plum Creek. We have been working with our design engineer, American Structurepoint and with ODOT since July, 2023 to develop detailed drawings, the right-of-way plans and detour plans for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. The project includes the complete replacement of the bridge including the downstream abutment, wing-walls, deck, pavement, approach, sidewalk, handrail, relocation of utilities, and bank stabilization. The new bridge will be a single span composite box beam structure with cast-in place footings, abutments, wingwalls and pre-stressed concrete box beams.
American Structurepoint uploaded the final Plans, Specifications & Estimate to ODOT’s site on February 3, 2025. ODOT certified the right-of-way on February 15th. On March 31st, ODOT confirmed that we received Federal Authorization to go to bid. The bid was advertised on April 5th, 12th and 19th. Bids were opened on April 28th. On May 19th, by Ordinance 25-27, City Council authorized the bridge replacement contract with D2 Excavating, LLC of Vickery, Ohio in the not to exceed amount of $2,035,057.00.
During construction, East Vine St. will be closed at Plum Creek between South Main (SR58) and South Pleasant St. The anticipated Notice to Proceed date is June 9, 2025. The planned final completion date for construction is November 21st. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please contact the Public Works Department at 440-775-7218.
East Vine St. Bridge, looking upstream
Projects in Design
South Pleasant St. Bridge Replacement
May 30, 2025
The City has also received a Municipal Bridge Program grant from ODOT, up to $818,340, to replace the South Pleasant St. Bridge over Plum Creek. We have been working with our design engineer, Schaffer, Johnston, Lichtenwalter & Associates and with ODOT since April, 2022 to develop detailed drawings, the right-of-way plan and detour plans for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.
In the summer of 2023, we discovered an issue with the proposed right-of-way plan. ODOT had confirmed that the City had used federal Land and Water Conservation Fund money in 1973 for the construction of the basketball courts and related amenities in the adjacent Park St. Park. This funding source is subject to the requirements of Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966, which affords protection to publicly owned parks, recreation areas, and wildlife and waterfowl refuges. Use of federal monies required dedication of the park (as it was then constituted) in perpetuity. We re-considered the bridge ‘footprint’ to eliminate the park impact. This would have required extensive re-design of the bridge abutments and wingwalls notwithstanding the sanitary sewer main (which was already in/under the park). Significant impacts on the adjoining property were also anticipated. Since re-design was not a feasible solution, staff has been working on the substitution of the vacant 0.3125 acre parcel at 66 South Park, adjacent to Park St. Park on the south side of Plum Creek) for the 0.105 acre of additional right-of-way we need for the bridge. Although it has taken a long time, ODOT District 3 staff have been very helpful working through this. Information has been sent by the City, through District 3 to ODOT’s Office of Environmental Service Columbus where they have worked with their Ohio Department of Natural Resources counterparts. ODNR staff has been in communication on our behalf with National Park Service personnel. Feedback from NPS is funneled back down through ODNR to ODOT to City staff. We received all of the necessary permissions and the environmental review was approved on February 13, 2025. With approval, SJL has released their acquisition consultant to acquire permanent right-of-way and temporary easements from adjoining property owners for this project. The Stage 3 plans were submitted on May 21, 2025. Construction is currently planned from spring/summer, 2026. If you have any questions, please contact the Public Works Department at 440-775-7218.
South Pleasant Street Bridge, looking upstream
State Route 58 South Multi-Use Path
May 30, 2025
In June, 2023, City Council authorized a $197,070 contract with the Environmental Design Group (EDG) to design a new multi-use path on the west side of SR58 from Hamilton St., south to US20 and west on the north side of US20 to connect to the public sidewalk running from Wendy’s to Walmart. This SR58 Active Transportation Improvement Project will provide a safe route for pedestrians and cyclists to access retail destinations in southern Oberlin. Since the project is partly located in New Russia and Pittsfield townships and in the ODOT right-of-way, we’re working with multiple stakeholders in developing the plan. Both ODOT and City staff have reviewed the 50% plans and EDG is working on the 90% plan set.
In order to proceed, it is necessary to acquire the both temporary and permanent easements from adjoining property owners. Working with Law Director Jon Clark, staff has finalized (10) of the (13) required temporary construction easements and (2) of (6) permanent easements. Discussions and negotiations continue with the affected property owners with a goal of going to bid this summer for fall construction.
For more information, please Click Here to view the Public Works Department’s May 6, 2024 presentation to Oberlin City Council.
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Park and East Vine Resurfacing Project
May 30, 2025
In September, 2024, City Council authorized the Public Works Department to submit and Ohio Public Works Commission Round 39 project application to resurface Park St., from East Lorain to East Vine and East Vine St., from South Park to the East Vine St. bridge. The total project cost estimate is $487,114. We requested and have been recommended for a $248,000 grant equal to 50.90% of the project cost. Our local match (not including in-kind expenses) is $235,830, primarily from the Income Tax Capital Improvement Fund #112 with $12,960 from the Stormwater Reserve Fund. This project is currently in design with a goal to award the project at the July 7, 2025 City Council meeting.
Please drive safely through all work zones!
Thank you for your continued patience!
For questions regarding any City construction project, please contact the Public Works Department at 440-775-7218.