Cuyahoga County, in coordination with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), would like to invite you to participate in the third round of virtual public involvement regarding the Hilliard Road Bridge over the Rocky River and Valley Parkway. Public input is an important part of the project development process and provides valuable feedback that helps guide decision-making through all phases of development. Cuyahoga County, with assistance from the Ohio Department of Transportation, is proposing to address the poor condition of the bridge. Due to its poor physical condition and increasingly rapid deterioration, the project steering committee recommends that removing the existing bridge and replacing it with a new bridge in the same location is the safest and most cost-effective alternative that satisfies the purpose of the project.
Due to lack of available funding, the arch-type structure that was previously selected is not feasible. Instead, the new proposed design features a traditional highway bridge underneath, while maintaining the prior aesthetic commitments for the deck of the bridge including sidewalks, overlooks, and lighting. Renderings of the newly proposed design are available on the website linked below.
The purpose of this third virtual public meeting open house is to present the updated bridge structure type for public feedback. The meeting will be held in a virtual open house style format from Thursday, June 25, to Monday, July 27, 2026. All materials will be available on the website below so they can be viewed, and your comments submitted, at your convenience. We hope that you will visit the virtual public meeting website where we will explain the overall project, what we heard from the first two rounds of public engagement, present the selected bridge type and project updates, and receive your input. The open house will be conducted online only.
VIRTUAL PUBLIC MEETING OPEN HOUSE
Thursday, June 25 – Monday, July 27, 2026
Participate online: http://www.publicinput.com/hilliardroadbridge
The existing bridge is a concrete arch structure that is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The existing bridge is continuing to deteriorate, with debris falling below. The portion of the bridge over Valley Parkway is currently protected by netting and the Valley Parkway Trail has been realigned to pass under the protected area. Cuyahoga County and ODOT evaluated alternatives to rehabilitate or replace the historic bridge and to restore the Valley Parkway Trail to its original location adjacent to the Rocky River. The project includes the addition of bicycle and pedestrian facilities on the bridge, consistent with the plans of the communities of Lakewood and Rocky River. The proposed design will convert the existing four-lane road to a two-lane road, adding new sidewalk, shared-use path, and buffers for pedestrian and cyclist safety. Detailed project design is expected to continue in 2026 and 2027. Construction is expected to begin in 2031.
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA), as amended, requires federal agencies to take into account the effects of their actions on historic properties. In the Section 106 consultation process, the federal agency must comply if the undertaking is of a type of activity that has the potential to affect a historic property. Individuals or organizations with a demonstrated interest in the effects of the undertaking on historic properties may become a consulting party. As this project design has recently changed, we are reevaluating the Section 106 impacts. You can apply to become a consulting party for the newly designed project by filling out the attached Section 106 Application form and sending it to Susan Daniels.
In addition to the project website, comments may also be submitted via email, phone, or mail to:
Email: aadkins@cuyahogacounty.gov
Call: 216-348-3855
Mail: Public Works: Aaron Adkins
2079 East Ninth Street, 5th Floor
Cleveland, Ohio 44115
The County asks that comments be submitted by July 27, 2026 to be included in the project documents.