Waterville, OH — Plans to Remove Roche de Boeuf Bridge Put on Hold Amid Community Efforts
The proposed removal of the historic Roche de Boeuf Interurban Bridge has been temporarily halted following a joint decision by the City of Waterville and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). The delay comes after residents voiced strong interest in preserving the structure, prompting city officials to explore alternative solutions.
In response to public input, Waterville has announced the formation of an exploratory committee aimed at evaluating potential options beyond demolition. Among the possibilities under consideration is the transfer of ownership to a public entity that could oversee preservation or adaptive reuse of the bridge.
Recognizing both the bridge’s historical significance and its connection to the community, ODOT has agreed to pause the project and will participate on the committee as a technical advisor. The involvement of both state and local representatives signals a collaborative effort to reassess the future of the aging structure, which spans the Maumee River and has long stood as a symbol of the region’s interurban past.
The decision to delay the project marks a significant moment in Waterville’s ongoing discussion about balancing preservation with infrastructure concerns.
