SHE-Zenas King Bridge Rehab PID 106696

The City of Sidney proposes to acquire, relocate and restore a currently defunct Zenas King Bowstring bridge. The bridge is currently located on private property; it will be relocated to Tawawa Park to serve as a pedestrian bridge linking two trail segments. Prior to its installation, the bridge will be rehabilitated to the Secretary of Interior’s Standards. The new bridge will offer a 10’ walking width (with the usable width reduced by means of internal decorative railing); the reduced width is necessary due to the limited load rating of the bridge (50 pounds per square foot).

The existing bridge has been determined to be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. It was manufactured in 1879 by the King Bridge and Iron Company of Cleveland, Ohio. This bridge is only one of two known to remain in the state that were constructed by the King Bridge Company.

The purpose of the Zenas King Bowstring Bridge Rehabilitation and Relocation project is to preserve the existing historic bridge and maintain a pedestrian access within Tawawa Park in the vicinity of Amos Lake. In order to meet the purpose of the project, it is necessary to

Address the deterioration of the existing historic bridge in a manner that maintains the bridge’s eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places.

Establish a long-term ownership and location for the bridge that ensures its continued existence and provides for public access.

In order to maintain a continued pedestrian water crossing in the vicinity of Amos Lake, provide an alternative pedestrian access to the existing, deteriorated pedestrian foot bridges, which are nearing the end of their serviceable lives.

The project is expected to begin in June 2019. Removal of the structure will require approximately one week at the current location. Four months will be required for the rehabilitation of the structure at an offsite location. Upon completion, the structure will be moved to its permanent location in Tawawa Park. The installation at Tawawa Park is expected to require approximately two months. Temporary utility relocations may be necessary to protect workers and the public during the removal and installation of the bridge.

No permanent right-of-way will be needed for this project. As detailed below, a temporary easement will be necessary to retrieve the bridge from its current location. The proposed bridge location is located entirely within the City-owned Tawawa Park; the City has issued a resolution to maintain the bridge and its location for public use for at least twenty years.

The project will be constructed with federal (Transportation Enhancement) and local funding. The estimated cost of the project is $835,000. Environmental clearance is scheduled for 02/05/2019. The project is expected to award in May 2019.

Existing location:

The bridge is currently in a severely deteriorated state, located on a defunct agricultural drive where the bridge previously provided a crossing of Spring Creek.

A temporary access easement (approximately 1.77-acre) will be needed to retrieve the bridge from its current location.

The surrounding land is agricultural, with a farmstead to the west and a former gravel pit to the north. Within the Census Blockgroups that include the current location, minorities represent 1% of the population and individuals in poverty represent 15% of the population.

As previously noted, the existing bridge has been determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). In proximity to the bridge’s current location, there are no National Historic Landmarks, other sites listed or known to be eligible for the NRHP, or sites for which Ohio Archaeological Inventory forms have been completed. Ohio Historic Inventory forms have been completed for the project bridge (SHE0000404) and the nearby farmstead (SHE0050304).

Spring Creek is a perennial stream with a drainage area of 8.75 square miles at the project location. The bridge will be removed from overhead and the stream banks, with no heavy equipment placed below ordinary high watermark. No temporary or permanent fill will be placed in Spring Creek or any associated wetlands.

Proposed location:

Tawawa Park is a 220-acre park offering a wide range of facilities, including natural areas, hiking/walking trails, a bikeway, play equipment, shelters, sand volleyball court, soccer fields, basketball courts, and two lakes. The park is protected under both Section 4(f) of the US DOT Transportation Act of 1966.

The project construction footprint in Tawawa Park is 0.675-acre. The temporary and permanent impacts to the park will be undertaken via the City resolution and no lands will be permanently incorporated into a transportation facility. The proposed improvement is considered to be an enhancement to the park under Section 4(f).

The proposed location extends over Amos Lake in Tawawa Park and will connect two walking trails (Benjamin Trail and Tawawa Trail). Within the Census Blockgroups that include the current location, minorities represent 13% of the population and individuals in poverty represent 31% of the population.

Access to Tawawa Park will be maintained during construction. The project will require the detour of portions of Benjamin Trail and Tawawa Trail for up to two months, during installation of the bridge. Signed detours to other park trails will be provided.

In proximity to the proposed location, there are no National Historic Landmarks, sites listed or known eligible for the NRHP, or sites for which Ohio Historic Inventory forms have been completed. Ohio Archaeological Inventory forms have been completed for several sites within Tawawa Park, but none are at or in the immediate area of the proposed bridge location.

There project will require impacts to Amos Lake and limited removal of suitable wooded habitat within Tawawa Park. An ecological survey will be undertaken, to assess impacts to ecological resources at Tawawa Park. The proposed location is located just outside of the designated special flood hazard area and floodway.

SHE-Zenas King BridgePID 106696Proposed LocationSidney, Ohio Quadrangle

0 1,500 3,000 4,500 6,000Feet± Date: 3/13/2018

tbishopText BoxNOTE - The current bridge location is not included in this mapping, in order to protect the private property on which the bridge is currently located. If you require additional information regarding this existing bridge location, please contact the District 7 Environmental Office at 937-497-6721.

SHE-Zenas King BridgePID 106696Proposed Location 0 230 460 690 920Feet± Date: 3/13/2018

SHE-ZK Bridge Project DescriptionProposed Location TopoProposed Location Aerial 300 scale with lineSHE-ZK Bridge Project Description