For Immediate Release Wednesday, July 18, 2018
Pamela Barnes, 440-546-5994, 440-241-5857 (cell), or pamela_barnes@nps.gov
Brecksville, Ohio – The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail will remain closed between Deep Lock Quarry and Hunt House due to ongoing construction to replace steel pedestrian bridges through August 10.
The project experienced delays due to a wet spring and once underway, workers encountered an original Ohio & Erie Canal stone culvert at the construction site. Therefore, work at this site has stopped and the National Park Service staff are working together to 1) determine the limits of the culvert within the construction site and 2) design a new abutment that will avoid harmful effects and allow the project to proceed.
A temporary detour bridge around this site will be available for public use when the closure is partially lifted August 10. When construction resumes at this site, the trail section will be closed during active construction periods and the detour will be open after daytime work hours and weekends.
Two sections of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail were closed beginning December 2017, and were estimated to continue through June 2018. One of four replacement pedestrian bridges was completed in May, enabling the trail section from Boston Store to Deep Lock Quarry to re-open. Two of the remaining three will be complete by August 10. The last remaining bridge will continue construction with the partial re-opening.
The closure is necessary for public safety during construction.
About Cuyahoga Valley National Park
CVNP encompasses 33,000 acres along the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron, Ohio. Managed by the National Park Service, CVNP combines cultural, historical, recreational, and natural activities in one setting. It generates over 2.3 million visits and an economic impact of $203 million annually. For more information visit www.nps.gov/cuva or call 330-657-2752.
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