The Ohio Department of Transportation and the City of Waterville have agreed to delay a project that would have removed the Roche de Boeuf Interurban Bridge structure over the Maumee River.
After receiving requests from local residents to continue efforts to explore alternatives other than removal, the city approached the state to request a delay of the project while the city forms an exploratory committee to determine whether additional options are available, including evaluating a renewed interest in a public entity assuming ownership of the structure.
“The city appreciates the consideration the state gave toward our request to pause the project while the community develops different potential opportunities for this structure,” said Timothy G. Pedro, mayor of Waterville.
“ODOT recognizes the history of the structure and its significance to the Waterville community,” ODOT District Deputy Director Pat McColley said. “ODOT will serve on the city’s exploratory committee as a member and a technical advisor while they pursue their effort.”
The project was set to bid April 10. Details of the effort, including the purpose, goals, parameters, timeline and members will be determined jointly by the City of Waterville and ODOT by the end of the month.
Prior to the city’s request, and understanding the significance of this structure, ODOT engaged the community through a public involvement process including conducting a feasibility study to evaluate numerous solutions, holding public meetings, engaging the Native American tribes with respect to the historical importance of the Roche de Boeuf rock, attempting to auction the structure to the public and offering ownership of the structure to any government entity.
ODOT officials have said they remain focused on honoring the structure, and preserving the Roche de Boeuf rock and its historical significance which predates the local Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794.
At the time of its construction in 1908, the bridge was one of the largest reinforced concrete bridges in the world. The structure was used by the Ohio Electric Railroad to carry electric interurban passenger trolley traffic between Toledo and Lima. Its most recent use was for temporary car and vehicle traffic during the 1940s.
