State Rep. Jean Schmidt, R-Loveland, contacted the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and requested a delay in the bridge project.
“I know firsthand the economic importance this trail contributes to the merchants in Loveland,” Schmidt said. “During the summer thousands visit the town as they bike, run, or walk the trail. Closing the bridge during the busiest season would hurt their economy”
“We didn’t like the timing because it was not great for our businesses and we were hoping it would be delayed,” Collins said.
She said the spring, summer and fall months are the busy season for many businesses who depend on the trail to bring people to Loveland.
“It was critical for businesses here as they are recovering from the (COVID-19) pandemic,” Collins said. “Another shut down would have severely impacted them. We’re very grateful that they postponed it.”
Originally, the trail’s O’Bannon Bridge in Loveland was slated to be closed and replaced from May to October. ODNR closed the bridge in March as part of the bridge replacement project. However, the trail bridge was reopened after the change in construction plans to delay the $1.7 million project until Oct. 1 with a target completion date of May 15, 2024.
While there are currently no concerns with the structural safety of the bridge, ODNR – in coordination with the Ohio Department of Transportation – will monitor the structural integrity of the bridge.
If it is deemed unsafe for pedestrian traffic by inspectors, it will be closed, ODNR said. The O’Bannon Creek bridge is one of the original bridges that remains from when the Little Miami State Park Scenic Trail was a railroad. Its replacement will be steel with a concrete deck.
The trail, which runs 78 miles through parts of five counties in southwest Ohio, attracts as many as 2 million users who frequent the various shops, restaurants and other businesses.
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