Chillicothe, Ohio – The Oakley C. Collins Memorial Bridge is set to undergo significant rehabilitation work beginning September 16. This project will involve a complete 30-day closure of the bridge to allow for necessary preventative maintenance on the driving surface.
According to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), the driving surface of the bridge, which is nearly 8 years old, is due for repairs. “We didn’t want to wait until the surface had passed its expected lifespan to make these critical repairs,” said Mike Dombrowski, ODOT District 9 Deputy Director. The bridge’s surface, like many others of its type, generally lasts for about a decade. By addressing the issue now, ODOT aims to avoid more extensive repairs in the future.
Details of the Rehabilitation Work
The project involves milling off the top 1.25 inches of the existing roadway surface and replacing it with new material. This restoration will bring the driving surface back to new condition, extending the life of the bridge deck and ensuring safe passage for motorists.
Due to the bridge’s narrow width, maintaining one lane of traffic during construction was not feasible. Dombrowski emphasized that completing the entire deck at once would produce the best outcome, reducing the likelihood of future disruptions.
“We know this will be an inconvenience to folks who use this bridge, but we want to ensure that we’re getting the best outcome from the project to maximize the life of the bridge deck, going forward,” Dombrowski added.
Traffic Detour Information
During the 30-day closure, traffic heading to Kentucky will be detoured via Park Avenue (SR 93), then east on US 52, crossing the Ohio River on the Ben Williamson Memorial Bridge (12th Street), and continuing west on Winchester Avenue (US 23) in Ashland. Traffic traveling from Kentucky into Ohio will detour using Winchester Avenue (US 23), the Simeon Willis Memorial Bridge (13th Street), then west on US 52, and south on Park Avenue (SR 93).
The Oakley C. Collins Memorial Bridge, a cable-stayed structure with an expected lifespan of 80 years, will benefit greatly from this proactive maintenance effort, ensuring its continued service for decades to come.
