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Bridge overhaul planned: Three spans in Charlestown, stretch of S.R. 5 to be improved

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By Diane Smith
Record-Courier staff writer
CHARLESTOWN — Starting as early as this spring, three bridges will be replaced using state and federal dollars.
Several township residents attended a public meeting Wednesday to learn more about the projects planned by CSX.
The railroad wants to replace two bridges it owns, one along Knapp Road, the other along Rock Spring Road, plus a smaller bridge on Rock Spring, just north of S.R. 5. The project also involves raising S.R. 5 at Rock Spring Road by three feet and changing the alignment of both roads to make them safer.
Rusty Orben of CSX said the projects are part of the National Gateway project, which involves rail improvements across the United States. Some of the projects, including 61 locations in Ohio, are being done to allow double-stacked trains to be used.
There also are two locations in Kent affected, he said. At the Main Street bridge, the track is being lowered to make way for the taller trains, and the Crain Avenue Bridge already is in the process of being replaced.
The railroad is paying for the project using state and federal money, including stimulus dollars. The Portage County Engineer’s office also will contribute the federal grant it received  for replacement of the Rock Spring Road bridge.
Orben said the Charlestown bridges that are being replaced are more than 100 years old.
Charlestown is located to the east of Ravenna.
Engineer Todd Bergstrom from URS Corp. in Akron said all will be able to withstand heavy vehicles such as fire trucks and school buses. At the engineer’s request, both roads will not be closed at the same time, although other work will be done simultaneously. Because S.R. 5 is only being raised a few feet, the state route will not be completely closed to traffic.
The project could start as early as April, although permits and other details may delay construction. The project could take up to two construction cycles.
Residents, as well as Fred Fries, business manager for the Southeast Local School District, said the project should include a turning lane on S.R. 5 to make the road safer for school buses and other traffic.
“I can recall accidents and fatalities caused by vehicles stopping to turn on (S.R.) 5,” resident Dick Pahls said.
Portage County Engineer Michael Marozzi said residents should write letters to the Ohio Department of Transportation’s district office in Akron. He said ODOT might conclude that there are not enough crashes on the road to justify a turning lane.
“The more letters they receive, the more likely it is to come across their radar,” he said.