Mill Creek MetroParks

Mill Creek MetroParks officials needed an attractive bridging solution to allow pedestrians and cyclists safe passage over busy Mahoning Avenue. According to Stephen L. Avery, MetroParks Planning Department Director and Chief Landscape Architect, Mahoning Avenue, a county road, sees over 14,000 vehicles per day. The precarious grade level trail crossing, along with the high traffic count and the area’s continued retail development made the need for a safe pedestrian crossing imperative.

Because the structure would be a highly visible landscape feature, Avery and MetroParks personnel wanted to design a bridge system that was visually appealing while integrating several historical railroad feature. Mill Creek MetroParks had successfully worked with Contech on several projects before and they once again turned to them for a quality product and assistance in developing their unique bridge design.

Their final bridge structure features a 104-ft. long x 12-ft. wide concrete section that has high mesh side panels for added safety. The two shorter 80’ end span that make up the bridge approach have 5’ tall side rails for safety. These Connector ^® truss style bridges have an attractive painted finish, which improves their appearance and helps resist the road salt from the traffic below. The plans called for a cast-in-place concrete deck and a stained finish on the concrete abutments and piers.