Construction Begins on Vrooman Road Bridge Project

LAKE COUNTY (August 28, 2018) – Construction to build a new Vrooman Road bridge over the Grand River in Perry and LeRoy townships will begin this September. In preparation for construction, crews have started surveying work which will continue through August. Construction of the bridge foundations and piers is expected to begin in mid-September.

A partnership between the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Lake County Engineer’s Office, the Vrooman Road bridge project involves the construction of a new high-level bridge on a new alignment over the Grand River, along with the resurfacing of the existing Vrooman Road between the new structure and I-90. 

“We are pleased to be working in partnership with ODOT District 12 to complete this much-needed project,” says Lake County Engineer Jim Gills.

The project will realign Vrooman Road to a new terminus at the intersection of State Route 84 (South Ridge Road) and Lane Road. This design was selected as the preferred alternative because it addresses all four deficiencies along the Vrooman Road corridor. These deficiencies include the substandard conditions of the existing bridge, substandard roadway geometrics, documented safety issues associated with crash patterns through this corridor and insufficient connectivity to eastern Lake County during unexpected highway closures.

“We are pleased that our strong working relationship with the Lake County Engineer’s Office has allowed us to finalize the construction plans and permitting requirements so that we can begin construction of this long-awaited project,” says ODOT District 12 Deputy Director Myron Pakush. “While there were many challenges addressed throughout the long history of this project’s development, we are confident this project will provide many benefits to the travelers of Lake County for many years in the future.”

The project was awarded to The Great Lakes Construction Company in late July for a cost of $22,381,228. The entire project is expected to be complete in September 2020.

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Sign up for ODOT project updates in Lake County at this link. Additional information on the Vrooman Road Bridge Project can be found here.