In July 2004, the Lake County Engineer’s Office hosted a public meeting to share with the general public conceptual alternatives developed in Stakeholder Committee Meetings held earlier in the year for the replacement of the existing Vrooman Road Bridge. Public input was also solicited at this meeting. Some conceptual alternatives were eliminated from consideration as a result of public input from this meeting, and from the Stakeholder Committee made up of local business owners, government agencies, and local public officials.
In 2008, the Lake County Engineer’s Office contracted Michael Baker Jr., Inc. to conduct further engineering analysis and environmental investigations for this project in order to identify the Preferred Alternative for replacement of the Vrooman Road Bridge.
Studies for a replacement bridge were completed as early as 1963.
1990 Era Replacement Project
Plans for high-level replacement completed in 1996.
Further project advancement delayed because of deficiencies in environmental documentation, specifically in the area of cultural resources
Current Alternatives Analysis Study
Planning study commissioned in 2004.
Begun under Major PDP.
Presently following Minor PDP.
Current Project Status:
Minor PDP Step 2 Complete
Planning Study dated December 12, 2005 evaluated 5 Conceptual Alternatives (Alt A Madison Avenue, Alt. B Lane Road, Alt. C Low Level Madison Avenue, Alt. D Replace in Existing Location, Alt. E No Build).
Alternatives C and D were eliminated because they did not satisfy Purpose and Need.
Lane Road Alternative was identified as the Preferred Alternative in the Planning Study.
Subsequent ODOT review of the Planning Study indicated that additional evaluation of alternatives was necessary to differentiate between Alt A Madison Avenue and Alt. B Lane Road.
Planning Study was subsequently updated and revised in January 2007 and
May 2008.
Three Remaining Alternatives Being Considered:
Alternative A – Madison Avenue Alternative Click Here
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Satisfies Purpose and Need.
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High-level crossing of river valley
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Logical termini Madison Avenue / SR-84 to north, south rim of the river valley to the south.
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Satisfies Purpose and Need.
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High-level crossing of river valley.
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Logical termini Lane Road / SR-84 to north, south rim of the river valley to the south.
Alternative E – No-Build Alternative
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Does not satisfy Purpose and Need
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Maintain current structure and roadway alignments.
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Structure will ultimately require replacement
Environmental Issues
Scenic River
The Grand River is a State designated “Wild and Scenic River”. This segment of the river is designated as a “Wild” river. Proposed improvements will be developed to minimize impacts to the river and will be properly coordinated with the ODNR.
Cultural Resources
· Proper investigation and documentation of archeological sites within project limits will be completed prior to project advancement.
Wetlands
· Identified wetlands will be avoided where possible. Mitigation measures will be enacted as necessary.
Project Importance
Public Safety
· Proposed improvements will enhance public safety because of better intersection geometry, better alignments for travel in snowy and icy conditions and elimination of flood hazard.