Repairs Needed For Bainbridge Road Culvert In Solon

SOLON, OH — Inspectors from the Cuyahoga County Engineer's Office, Division of Bridge Inspection and Maintenance took a look at the Bainbridge Road culvert Monday morning. The team found section loss on part of the reinforcement on the structure, which could lead to collapse, according to one of the inspectors.

When asked what would happen if work was not done on the section, Jim Hazimihalis, Chief Section Engineer Bridge Maintenance & Inspection division, told Patch, "Potential collapse depending on what size load is going over the structure. You could have had a through hole, about the size of a tire."

As a result, the city has shut down two of the interior lanes going over the culvert. The exterior portions of the structure didn't show the same damage as the interior and will allow traffic to continue over the area. (To stay up to date on local stories, subscribe to the Patch Solon newsletter. As news breaks and the story develops, you will be the first to receive updates from Patch.)

Drivers can expect the southbound left turn lane from Harper Road to Bainbridge Road leading into the lane closure to be closed.

"We’re erring on the side of caution," Hazimihalis said. He added that the city of Solon was all over the project and was handling it well, working with the county and other groups to remedy the deterioration.

For its part, Solon already has a contract in-place to address the concerns found by the county. The city said on a Facebook post that it expects construction to start on the project "very soon." All closures will remain in place until the work is finished.

Solon's Engineering Department did not immediately reply to Patch's request for comment.

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