Did you know there is a multi-use trail that runs from the banks of the Ohio River in Southwest Ohio to Edgewater Park Beach in Northeast Ohio? The route is 326 miles, with over 80% of the miles off-street on hard surface/paved trails. The Ohio to Erie Trail Bridge in Westerville, Ohio is part of the trail that grants walkers, joggers, and cyclists a path for exercise or traversing a city.

The Ohio to Erie Trail Bridge allows people continuous travel over County Line Road, a four-lane road that connects many residents and businesses in the area. The bridge was designed to replace the street-level crossing that was mid-way between North State Street and McCorkle Boulevard. Previously, there was only a marked crosswalk, so users had to be extra vigilant when crossing the busy road. To provide a safer path, the Carpenter Marty Transportation team worked with the City of Westerville Engineer’s Office to design a path that was both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

With residential neighborhoods to the west and east of the path, the project team wanted to ensure the solution had curb appeal. The result was a stone façade and green retaining wall, which helped the bridge look more like its natural surroundings. The single span steel truss bridge was painted green to help it fit in with the trees and greenery in the area.

One of the challenges in some urban areas is space. The amount of right-of-way required for a project directly impacts project cost. Carpenter Marty Transportation’s bridge team worked within a small project footprint. They designed tall, narrow walls to avoid right-of-way impacts for nearby property owners.

Large, underground electric lines ran underneath the bike path and along the railroad bed. Because of the location of the electric lines and residential areas, the design team determined a mat foundation would be the best solution for the foundation. It would support the bridge abutments and retaining wall without the noise and vibrations associated with driving piles.

The design team worked closely with the City and truss supplier to provide solutions to these challenges and accommodate other requests. The project included the incorporation of lighting conduit within the steel tubes and attachments for future vandal protection fencing.

With the help of a grant, the Ohio to Erie Trail Bridge was designed and then constructed in 2014. The above-grade structure makes it possible for users to continue down the trail safely and without interruption.

If you are looking to plan a trip on the Ohio to Erie Trail, there are interactive maps and guides on the official Ohio to Erie Trail website.