Progress being made on Lisbon bridge replacement project

LISBON, Ohio (WKBN) – Drivers in Lisbon are sure to notice the large cranes hoisting heavy equipment into place as a multi-million dollar bridge replacement project is underway.

For four years, the village of Lisbon has been working on a plan to replace an aging bridge that connects Market and Grant streets on the village’s southern border.

Mayor Peter Wilson said they have run into ups and downs concerning funding.

When the village first explored replacing the span, it was looking at roughly a $1.5 million project, but COVID caused those prices to skyrocket well over $3 million.

“For any village our size, large capital expenditures like this, you need state financing, grants, loans. We were quite fortunate. We only had to take out one small loan,” said Mayor Wilson.

Construction crews are working one lane at a time, leaving access open for drivers for almost all of the project. The new single-span will also eliminate the wear and tear that the old bridge frequently encountered following heavy rains.

“During the spring and after heavy rains tree trunks will float down Little Beaver Creek. They hit against the middle tier and that damages the bridge. So without having the middle tier, there should not be that problem. That’s a big win for us,” Wilson said.

Replacing the rusted and outdated span has been a priority for the village and has been on ODOT’s list for repairs or replacement for years.

Construction crews are expected to begin demolishing the existing structure in October and the new span is expected to be open by early next year.

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