Demolition contractor loses a month while city issues permit.
It’s taken almost 20 years to find someone to demolish the Bellaire Toll Bridge. It will take a mere 8 seconds for it to disappear into the Ohio River. And if all goes as planned, the bridge will come down sometime “just before” or “just after” Labor Day weekend, the lead contractor for the project said Monday. Preliminary work is set to begin after July 5.
Lee Chaklos of Delta Demolition Inc. had hoped to already have efforts under way to remove the concrete approach to the span that looms over Eighth Street in Benwood. However, work cannot begin until city officials issue the company a permit.
Chaklos said city officials threw him “a curveball” by requiring he provide about 16 pieces of documentation before issuing that permit. “They backed us up about 30 days,” he said.
City leaders are seeking proof of bonding and workers’ compensation payments from Delta Demolition, as well as a copy of the company’s plans for at least the initial phase of work and a list of subcontractors. In addition, Delta Demolition must secure a right-of-way permit from CSX, with all the information being provided to the city, according to Benwood Police Chief Frank Longwell.
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