Plymouth asks Huron County for $793,000 to finish bridge repairs; commissioners ask for engineer estimate

Plymouth Mayor Cass Fryman asked the Huron County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 27 for financial assistance to finish a bridge repair project the village has pursued for three years. Fryman said the village has secured about $2 million but still needs $793,000 to complete the work; she added that Richland County has pledged $350,000 to advance the project toward a summer bid.

Commissioner Harry Brady asked whether Ashland Railway had been asked to contribute, noting signs had previously indicated the railroad had closed the bridge. Fryman said Ashland Railway has provided in-kind services — flaggers and engineering assessments — but that her title searches do not clearly show the railroad as the owner; she said the village plans to create a title allowing the Village of Plymouth to own the bridge upon completion and that Ashland Railway has agreed to that contingency.

County Assistant Prosecutor Randal Strickler said he believed Richland County’s prosecutor previously concluded the bridge belonged to the railroad; Fryman said she has no indication of that and had two title companies research ownership. Commissioners said they were sympathetic but not ready to commit funds at the Jan. 27 meeting because the county’s final budget estimates will not be available until after the Feb. 27 Budget Commission meeting.

Commissioner Tom Dunlap asked the board for time to consider options; Commissioner James R. Morgan said he wanted to explore what the county could do. Strickler asked Fryman to provide the county with the engineer’s estimate to help inform the commissioners’ decision.

The board did not vote on a funding commitment; commissioners requested additional documentation and an engineering estimate before any decision.