Mayors in Bedford and Bedford Heights were hoping the Columbus Road bridge project would be completed in a few months, but now, two years later they're still waiting.
The project has left one lane on Columbus Road closed, causing traffic to come to a stop and wait for a portable traffic light to signal vehicles through.
Bedford Mayor Stan Kochi and Bedford Heights Mayor Fletcher Berger told newsnet5.com the project has a significant impact of safety vehicle response time.
"This is one of the main throughways for our police department, our fire department, when they're going to Bedford," said Fletcher. "This also slows down EMS as it rushes patients to Bedford Hospital."
Both Mayors said it's been a major inconvenience for residents for far too long, and claim they haven't been able to get adequate information from Cuyahoga County as to what has caused the construction delays.
"With the school right up the street, we have so many people coming in Bedford Heights coming through here." explained Koci. "This is a major thoroughfare."
We contacted Cuyahoga County about the project delays, and the county told newsnet5.com it took longer than anticipated to set-up plans and funding for the project.
The county said a new water line was added to the project, causing even more delays.
County officials told newsnet5.com it's fairly confident the project will be completed by the end of the summer.
Meanwhile Mayors in both cities aren't pleased with county follow-up on such an important project. We asked Mayor Fletcher to give the county a letter grade on its effort.
"Well, let me see, do you have anything below and 'F'," said Fletcher.
