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Details revealed about Anthony Wayne Bridge project

According to ODOT officials, a contract has been awarded to make improvements to the Anthony Wayne Bridge. Construction is not expected to start until the end of 2014, but residents are already voicing their concerns.
Upgrades to the Anthony Wayne Bridge, also known as the High Level Bridge, would close it for 19 months.
A meeting held Thursday afternoon allowed for discussion between officials and concerned residents.

TOLEDO, OH (Toledo News Now) - According to Ohio Department of Transportation officials, a contract has been awarded to make improvements to the Anthony Wayne Bridge. Construction is not expected to start until the end of 2014, but residents are already voicing their concerns.

ODOT has awarded a contract to E.S. Wagner, an Oregon company, to make improvements to the bridge. The rehabilitation project will include redecking, new street lighting, along with rebuilding the sidewalks, railings and fence.

A meeting Thursday afternoon at the Toledo Senior Activity Center, gave officials the opportunity to explain when construction would start on the bridge. Toledo residents in attendance were also able to voice their concerns about the historic bridge, which was built in 1931, and is the only one of its kind in the state.

Residents at the meeting said they value the relevance of the rehabilitation, but still have mixed feelings because of all the traffic and noise it brings, based on past experiences.

"There have been times that three bridges have been closed down into two lanes. It made it very hard to get back in forth from downtown, to the east side, and vise versa," said Eulan Tucker, who lives 20 feet from the bridge.

Tucker has lived in her home for 41 years and uses the bridge daily. She said she will have to come up with some new routes to get around the city.

"Our main plan is to use the Martin Luther King Bridge right now. If that bridge is up, we will use the Michael Bridge," said Tucker.

ODOT officer Theresa Pollick was prepared to address resident concerns.

"The bridge right now needs a lot of repair, and we're going to be looking to do a lot of improvements to the bridge, as well, with some of its substructure, also replace the decks, as well as side walks," said Pollick.

ODOT officials say they are currently working with the city of Toledo to alleviate traffic problems. They have even mapped out a detour for drivers.

Still, traffic problems are not new to the people of east Toledo, because there have been repairs on the bridge in the past.

"This is going to be a great inconvenience, but the people of east Toledo will get through this, and I think over the years, the people will make this work," said Tucker.

One-lane restrictions will start this summer. The bridge is expected to be closed for 19 months starting in the end of 2014. After it reopens, there will be lane restrictions in place for at least one construction season to paint.

Read more on the Anthony Wayne Bridge rehabilitation project:

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