Blanchard Street Bridge Rehabilitation Project

(From Findlay City Engineer Jeremy Kalb)

A recent bridge inspection performed by the Ohio Department of Transportation resulted in a slight reduction to the load rating of the Blanchard Street Bridge over the Blanchard River.

Despite the reduced load rating, the bridge remains in good condition, making it a strong candidate for a cost-effective rehabilitation rather than a full replacement.

The revised load rating now makes the bridge eligible for ODOT Municipal Bridge Program grant funding, which can be applied toward the construction phase of the rehabilitation project.

If awarded, the grant would provide up to an 80 percent reimbursement of eligible construction costs.

After being notified of the bridge’s eligibility for Municipal Bridge Program funding, the City contracted with EMH&T to complete the preliminary engineering and design for the rehabilitation project.

The preliminary design will allow the City to evaluate rehabilitation options, identify the most cost-effective approach, and maximize the bridge’s useful service life.

The completed preliminary design will support the City’s grant application, with the goal of securing funding for construction during the 2028 construction season.