Committee moves forward with McCracken Road bridge replacement, backed by NOACA funds

The Cuyahoga County Public Works Procurement and Contracting Committee on July 30 approved Resolution 20250267 to declare public convenience and welfare require rehabilitation of McCracken Road Bridal No. 01.36 over Mill Creek in Garfield Heights and Maple Heights.

Eric Mack, Public Works, said the county has secured federal assistance through NOACA, providing $2,400,000 of the estimated $3,000,000 project cost. "NOACA gave us $2,400,000 out of the $3,000,000 to repair this bridge," Mack said. He described the span as a box-beam bridge built in 1996 whose superstructure is failing and requires replacement. Mack said the bridge carries roughly 4,100 vehicles per day, including a notable volume of trucks serving nearby industrial businesses.

Committee members asked about the construction schedule and funding. Mack said construction is slated to begin and finish in 2028, requiring one construction season, and that the county road and bridge fund would provide the 20 percent match of $600,000. He clarified that because the structure is a county-owned bridge the adjacent cities would not be expected to contribute to the bridge repair, although communities might partner on resurfacing approaches that are outside county bridge jurisdiction.

Members debated whether to treat the measure as a second reading; the committee ultimately moved the resolution forward and voted in favor. The committee chair confirmed the normal multi-reading process would apply where appropriate.

Public Works staff said the county maintains approximately 210 bridges, and this project is one of them.