By Steve Kemme
The Cincinnati Enquirer

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS - The long-awaited replacement of the Elliott Avenue bridge over Mill Creek will occur next year.

Village officials have been hoping for the past two years that the project would get under way. Complications, however, involved with moving water, gas and telephone lines and acquiring right-of-way property have caused delays.

But Hamilton County officials say the project definitely will get started next year - probably in the spring or early summer.

"We're hoping to get the right of way acquired early in the year so we can begin construction in the spring," said Steve Mary, county bridge engineer.

The project, which will cost an estimated $915,000, will take about six months, and Elliott Avenue will be closed for most of that time, he said.

The bridge, more than 60 years old, is supported by a concrete pier in the middle of the Mill Creek. During heavy rains, debris collects on the pier, creating a cleanup nuisance for the county. The new bridge will be a single-span and will not require a pier.

"The bridge has served its useful life and we want to get it replaced," Mary said.

The bridge replacement will be coordinated with a planned $250,000 storm sewer project in Arlington Heights.

"It will involve tearing up streets and sidewalks," said Steve Surber, village clerk.

The storm sewers in Arlington Heights feed into sanitary sewers, a situation now prohibited by federal laws.

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E-mail skemme@enquirer.com