BRECKSVILLE, Ohio - The National Park Service has reopened access to Station Road Bridge today, after it had been closed for a major renovation since November 2020.
Visitors can once again access the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail from Station Road Bridge Trailhead in Brecksville. Until further notice, visitors are asked to not touch any painted surface.
“We know that closing the bridge restricted access to the Towpath Trail. We’re opening it even while the paint is still curing, so we’re asking people to respect the temporary fencing and not touch the railing or any other painted surface" Said Acting Superintendent Lisa Petit.
Contractors chose a paint that is specifically formulated to protect structures like bridges and tanks from rust - a measure that will protect the bridge for decades to come. This high-quality paint requires substantially more time (possibly several months) to dry and form a hard, protective surface. Temporary fencing (that does not obstruct the view) will remain on the bridge to allow trail users to cross, but not touch the metal surfaces.
The Station Road Bridge is the oldest remaining metal truss bridge in the Cuyahoga Valley. The bridge bears the date 1882, but county records indicate it was likely built in 1881. The bridge was closed to vehicles in 1980, disassembled and shipped to Elmira NY for repair in 1991, and by 1992 the bridge was reassembled and opened for recreational use. The bridge, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has again been renovated to assure safety and recreation access for park visitors.
For more information about the renovation project, visit https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/preserving-the-station-road-bridge.htm
CVNP encompasses 33,000 acres along the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron, Ohio. Managed by the National Park Service, CVNP combines cultural, historical, recreational, and natural activities in one setting. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/cuva, www.facebook.com/cuyahogavalleynationalpark, or call 440-717-3890
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Tags: bridge bridge repair historic bridge station road bridge
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
