UPDATE: ODOT to put a steel plate over exposed concrete on Niles bridge
NILES, Ohio - A bridge in Niles has received quite the attention on social media and has sparked some concern in the local community.
A video of the bridge located on State Route 422 just past the Eastwood Mall Complex has gotten over 623,000 hits on the video sharing app TikTok with commenters sparking concern over cracks in the the sidewalk section of the bridge.
"We inspect our bridges routinely including this one here," said Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) District 4 Public Information Officer Ray Marsch. "There is no structural danger for folks driving."
Marsch told 21 News the bridge had been inspected by ODOT crews as part of a routine in August of 2023.
Marsch told 21 News that ODOT is working on a temporary fix to cover the rebar so it is not exposed for people who are walking across the bridge. ODOT plans to put a steel plate over the exposed concrete, and this work should be done by the end of the day Friday.
"The sidewalk and curb is elevated from the actual bridge itself, and so when you see that concrete deteriorate, it shows that gap because the sidewalk is elevated from that bridge," Marsch said.
ODOT told us that they plan on make more permanent repairs in 2024. Marsch also said that ODOT has a project planned in 2028 to replace the bridge structure.
"Concrete overtime often comes off and we'll have to go in and chip off concrete on bridges so there is routine maintenance," Marsch added. "That is something we'll have to do and have to upkeep with."
Marsch says that ODOT has had issues with the area in the past, and that repairs were made on the structure in 2011.
"The bridge is absolutely safe to drive on. We have no concerns with the structural driving surface of the bridge," Marsch said. "The issue is the sidewalk and curb is elevated from the actual bridge itself, and so when you see that concrete deteriorate it shows that gap because that sidewalk is elevated from that bridge."
21 News reached out to Niles Street Department Director Robert Ward and did not hear back on Thursday. Marsch is unsure if ODOT will be working alongside the City of Niles to repair the bridge.
The bridge is scheduled to be entirely replaced in 2028.
