As the General Contractor for the North Main Street Bridge Project in the Village of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, we take immense pride not only in the technical execution of the Project but also in the relationships we’ve built with our stakeholders. Partnering with the Cuyahoga County Department of Public Works, the Village of Chagrin Falls, our trusted subcontractors, vendors, and the community has been at the core of our success.
To date, this Project represents the most extensive renovation to the Main Street Bridge. Great Lakes has been tasked with reinforcing the existing structure by pouring new foundations and lining the sandstone arches with precast concrete arches. In addition to installing 36 precast concrete sections, the Project will provide the Village of Chagrin Falls with over 4,000 square feet of refaced concrete retaining walls, over 2,300 square feet of new exposed aggregate sidewalk, 500 linear feet of new decorative steel railing, and a resurfaced asphalt roadway over the Main Street Bridge. To date, the south barrel of the Main Street Bridge has had a new foundation poured, 16 precast concrete structures have been placed, and over 2,000 square feet of retaining wall refaced.
Construction work in water is always challenging. With the structure located near a low head dam, this Project required a multiple level temporary cofferdam to isolate the water into the adjacent arch. The phased construction also requires the cofferdam to be shifted several times throughout the life of the Project. While the cofferdam design and installation were a challenge, the precast arch installation beneath the existing stone arch presented the biggest challenge. Collaboration between many trades, project supervision, and subcontractors helped develop a plan that proved to be safe and efficient. The plan developed included lowering the 34,000-pound/each arches onto Hillman Rollers positioned on the foundations/footer and then winched under the existing arch to their final location, and finally lowering onto the footer by multiple custom-made jacks.
Effective communication and collaboration have been central to the success of the North Main Street Bridge Project. By keeping open lines of communication with the Cuyahoga County Department of Public Works and the Village of Chagrin Falls, we ensure that their vision and requirements are met. From the start, we have prioritized public safety, implementing secure walkways, clear signage, and constant monitoring to keep pedestrians safe and minimize disruptions. We’ve also worked closely with the Village to maintain traffic flow and local access, ensuring that Chagrin Falls’ daily activities continue uninterrupted. Projected for completion by Spring 2026, Great Lakes is diligently reconstructing the bridge while minimizing the impact on the bustling downtown business district.
Great Lakes’ reputation is built on a foundation of trust, capability, and expertise. We bring decades of experience to every project, and the North Main Street Bridge Project is no exception. Our ability to manage complex projects while fostering strong relationships with stakeholders sets us apart in the industry. By continuing to work closely with Cuyahoga County, the Village of Chagrin Falls, and the community, we ensure that this bridge will serve as a safe, lasting, and functional part of the local infrastructure for years to come.