BY ROBERT SANCHEZ
The Cincinnati Enquirer
One set of bridge repairs could turn into a complete overhaul in five years if appropriate funding comes through.
Construction crews cleared barrels Tuesday off the Waldvogel Viaduct, but plans are under way to reconstruct the bridge that connects the lower west side with the Sixth Street expressway. The bridge, which has been closed since May for repairs and resurfacing, must be replaced, said Joe Vogel, the city's structural engineer. "Right now, this is repair work that's supposed to be temporary," he said. "Our long-term thinking is that we want to find a way to replace it before it gets any worse.
"The most difficult part is trying to find the appropriate funding."
The bridge was supposed to open earlier this month, but there was unexpected deterioration and faulty concrete had to be repoured, which delayed the opening. Four or five bridges are repaired each year, Mr. Vogel said.
For now, though, traffic tie-ups will be eased on River Road -- and, Mr. Vogel hopes, so will the complaints he frequently received.
More than 20,000 vehicles drove the stretch of road each day before it was closed, according to city statistics.
"City engineers did a wonderful job planning all this out and trying to eliminate problems," said Timothy Schoch, incident management specialist with ARTIMIS, the Tristate's traffic management system.
"Everything is going to get back to what it used to be, and that's going to reduce congestion that was created when it first closed." Other repairs, including those on two bridges on Spring Grove Avenue, are planned this year.
