AUSTINTOWN — The Ohio Department of Transportation is considering tearing down the Lanterman Road bridge spanning Interstate 680, but township officials say it may play an important role in safety service response times.

The 52-year-old bridge is nearing the end of its lifespan, according to ODOT public information officer Ray Marsch.

“We like to get 50 to 75 years out of a bridge. This bridge was built in 1967,” Marsch said.

He said the bridge project is in the design phase, but tearing it down instead of rehabilitating it would save an estimated $3.8 million.

The cost of keeping the bridge is around $4.2 million, including the cost of future maintenance, said Marsch. Taking the structure down would cost about $450,000.

He said the bridge is relatively low-traveled, with a daily traffic count of about 300, according to survey work.

But Trustee Jim Davis said the bridge could impact safety service response times. He said last week he wants a response time study done to see how quickly fire and police could reach residents on the other side without using the bridge.

“We’re trying desperately to take care of the people of Austintown and make sure police and fire can get where they’re going,” said Davis.

He said if ODOT’s estimates for the traffic count were correct, it’s his opinion the county-maintained road is not well traveled because it is in poor condition.

Many areas along the road leading up to the bridge have been patched, and some potholes remain, making for a bumpy ride.

ODOT is holding a public meeting to provide information on the bridge and the potential teardown 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 7 at Four Mile Run Christian Church. Trustees encouraged residents to go to the meeting to voice their opinions. Marsch said there will be representatives from ODOT, as well as exhibits and handouts at the meeting. He said residents will have the opportunity to have questions answered.

Crispin Crago, a Lanterman Road resident, said he isn’t happy about the potential bridge removal.

“I don’t know if anything is wrong with the bridge,” said Crago. He said about five years ago, ODOT performed maintenance on the bridge.

Crago said if ODOT is going to tear down the bridge, he wants them to explain the structural reasons why it must go.

Marsch said if the teardown is approved, it likely will take place in late 2022 to early 2023.

avugrincic@tribtoday.com