After almost two years of closure, the trail is now open at Grandin Rd. (Cartridge Factory, mm 35.3). The $22 million King Ave. Bridge replacement project brings many improvements to the trail and surrounding area.
The most exciting change for trail users is removal of the dangerous intersection by construction of a tunnel for the trail to pass under the road. The tunnel is ample in width, allowing good visibility and a wide berm. There is also a new paved parking area that is much larger than the previous gravel lot. A paved path leads from the lot to the trail itself.
The new, higher bridge over the river provides two wider lanes for traffic and a generous, divided lane for cyclists and pedestrians. There’s even room to hop off your bike and enjoy the river view!
The new bridge and roadway is now open to traffic, but flagging operations are expected during the daytime hours of 9 am to 3 pm, as needed, over the winter and into the spring to complete punch-list items.
Photos
Top: New parking lot at left, trail on right; trail tunnel with Grandin Rd passing over is visible on right.
Below: pedestrian lane on bridge; ribbon cutting at trail tunnel
Below: Drone image taken during construction in July 2023, provided by the Ohio UAS Center.
Shows old bridge on the right (now removed), new bridge on the left, roundabout on Grandin Rd. at the Cartridge Factory. Roundabout exit on the left of the photo leads to the new Trail Access parking lot; the tunnel under the trail is just below right of the roundabout. On the other side of the river, rerouting of King Ave. is visible, under construction.
