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MILAN — The cost of restoring the bridge on old U.S. 250 near Milan Steel with a permanent structure could run as high as $150,000, according to Erie County Engineer Kenneth A. Palta. Palta announced his figures Thursday night at a public meeting with the Erie County Com missioners, township trustees, and village council at the Milan Town Hall. Palta revealed that the cost of a new permanent bridge would be $100,000, plus an additional $16,000 to remove the old structure and $15,000 to $20,000 to repair approaches to the bridge. Only the piers and some structural steel can be salvaged from the old bridge, said Palta. He explained that the only assistance available to the county would be ‘‘token assistance’’ under Public Law 875. This aid would be based on constructing a one lane temporary wooden structure, he said. However, restoration of the bridge at Fries Landing will be ‘‘by far our most expensive one,’ said G. William Swain, chairman of the county commissioners. A complete engineering study will be required for this high-priority project before the commissioners decide whether the bridge should be relocated. Commissioner Frederick H. Deering pointed out that Fries Landing is on the federal aid secondary system, but the county would be eligible for aid “only if it is put back as it was.” A project involving relocation of the bridge could run as high as $1 million, said Palta. Palta reported that 10 county bridges were destroyed in the July 4 storm and its aftermath and that three others may be added to the list. Only four of these bridges are on the federal aid secondary system. The estimated cost for restoration is $2.75 million. Palta also commented, ‘‘We must have all this work under contract within a year to be eligible for aid.” The engineer told Milan residents that there is ‘‘no possibility’’ Berlin Road will be open by the time school starts. Bellamy Road, the only route to Berlin Heights currently open, was cleared in one day after the storm and will be ‘kept open. In response to a question, Commissioner Francis D. Young said that McIntyre Road, which has been closed for over three years because two bridges are out, will be opened ‘‘when your new school is ready for construction and ready for approaches.” Township trustees in the audience agreed that the township will put in a new road when the county repairs the two bridges. Estimated cost of repairing the main bridge over McIntyre Road is $38,000. The meeting went on record requesting a hearing with the State Highway Department on the widening of U.S. 250, possibly the second week in September. The state estimates that construction of a new freeway running north to Sandusky from the Turnpike will take 10 to 15 years. The state’s main objection to widening 250 is the ‘prohibitive cost’’ of widening the road at the Avery underpass, according to Palta. Commissioner Swain commented that ‘‘the people of Erie County were very good during the storm. We were blessed in that we didn’t lose more lives.” He thanked residents for their cooperation and added, ‘‘We’re going to need it in the next year.”
Newspaper Details
Norwalk Reflector
Norwalk, Ohio, US
Fri, Aug 01, 1969
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Emma F.
USA 14 May 2026
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