City tries again for Lowry bridge aid

2010 request for rehabilitation was denied.

SPRINGFIELD — The South Lowry Avenue bridge over the Little Miami Scenic Trail could be replaced in the coming years if the state approves nearly $286,000 in funding.

City commissioners approved an emergency ordinance Tuesday night allowing the city engineer to apply for available Municipal Bridge Program construction funds by March 1.

If the city is successful in receiving the Ohio Department of Transportation grant, funds would become available in state fiscal year 2016, said city Engineer Leo Shanayda.

The state funds can only be used for construction costs.

A local match of more than $161,000 would be made available either through Ohio Public Works Commission grants or from the city’s permanent improvement fund, said Shanayda.

Local funds would be used for engineering, design, environment and right-of-way costs, Shanayda said.

The existing Lowry Avenue Bridge was constructed in 1950 to span what was a railroad corridor, now the Little Miami Recreation Trail, according to Shanayda.

The latest traffic count for the bridge was more than 1,250 vehicles daily, according to 2004 data from the Clark County Transportation Coordinating Committee.

City officials attempted to get bridge rehabilitation funds in 2010, but were unsuccessful, Shanayda said.

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