ASHTABULA – The City of Ashtabula announced that the Lake Avenue Underpass was included in the City’s Municipal Bridge Inspection with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) in December.
The results of the inspection were recently shared on the city’s website.
“Based on the findings of our cursory inspection, we did not observe any critical defects that would require closure of the roadway below the bridge,” the inspection reads.
The city noted that inspectors have given the underpass a Superstructure condition rating of 3 – Serious Condition, and noted issues with the substructure conditions that should be addressed by CSX, the owner of the structure.
When asked for comment, City Manager Jim Timonere said he was glad that the city was able to include the inspection in the City’s Municipal Bridge Inspection with ODOT because the information is not coming from CSX, but from an independent inspection company.
“It is important to note, this is considered a cursory inspection, but there are obvious defects that must be addressed by CSX as the owners of this structure,” he said in an email. “I am told at a 2 rating, they recommend shutting down the roadway. It would be almost impossible for us to close Lake Avenue.”
Timonere said he had a phone conversation with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), who asked for the report to be sent to them. He said he has yet to hear back since they have received the report, however.
Timonere added that Congressman Dave Joyce’s Office has been helpful. Timonere said he hopes Joyce’s office can assist the city with making progress with CSX to take responsibility and begin working on the bridge
“I had good communication with the CSX Director of State Relations for Ohio & Michigan, but unfortunately due to circumstances out of my control, those communications have all but ceased,” he added. “It is extremely disappointing a company of this magnitude refuses to respond to our requests, but let’s face it, this country has allowed railroads to get away with a lot, then sits back shocked when a major incident happens. I have been working with them for years on this bridge. They have done some maintenance, but the maintenance in my opinion is more to give the appearance they are doing something.”
He noted the structure is a stone’s throw away from the county’s largest hospital and is on a major artery for the City.
“An incident here has major implications, and CSX must acknowledge and begin working to make temporary repairs and ultimately replace this 116-year-old structure,” he added.
Here are some of the inspector comments from the report:
DECK, WEARING SURFACE, JOINTS, RAILING
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