Crews blast down Akron's 1953 Route 8 bridge

Akron's Route 8 high-level bridge was built in 1953.

The replacement is a $158 million project.

The project began in August 2023.

The overall project is expected to be finished in 2028.

ODOT is doing the work with the Ruhlin Company and Great Lakes Construction.

One bridge is being replaced by separate northbound and southbound spans.

The new southbound bridge opened to traffic in December 2025.

Both directions of traffic are using the new bridge while the other span is unfinished.

Railings, lights, and barriers were taken off by ordinary demolition methods.

Spans over utilities and railroad tracks were also removed without explosives.

A controlled explosion brought down sections of Akron's closed Route 8 bridge over the river valley.

Route 8 and nearby streets were closed inside about a 1,000-foot safety zone for the blast.

Demolition firm VEIT handled the controlled blast.

VEIT has done large-scale demolitions around the country.

Debris cleanup is expected to run through November.

The next pieces of the new northbound bridge are to be built over the winter and spring.

Beams for the northbound span are to be launched in late spring 2027.

The northbound bridge deck is to be built in the spring and summer of 2028.

The new northbound bridge is expected to open in 2028.

ODOT described the Route 8 replacement as having reached another milestone.

Noirot thanked ODOT staff and the Ruhlin-Great Lakes joint venture.

ODOT carried the blast live on its District 4 Facebook page.

ODOT released video of the demolition, including a drone view.