Work on historic culvert in Napoleon is halted

10/18/2013

NAPOLEON — Reconstruction of a historic stone-arch culvert on Riverview Avenue has been put on hold after unexpected conditions were discovered, and the street will be rebuilt by the end of next month, the Ohio Department of Transportation announced.

After excavating the 19th-century arches to repair their stone work, state contractors discovered decay more extensive than was expected, and found a timber foundation not known to be there, officials said.

ODOT has been working with the Ohio Historic Preservation Office and Napoleon and Henry County officials to redesign the project, originally scheduled for completion in February but now expected to continue much later into next year. In the meantime, Riverview — part of County Road 424 and formerly U.S. 24 — will be rebuilt, with short-term lane closings to occur after its reopening as work on the arches continues.

The arches were built as part of construction of the Miami & Erie Canal. The culvert spans Oberhaus Creek between Commerce Drive and Fillmore Street. Riverview has been closed since mid-June, requiring traffic to detour via State Rts. 108 and 110 and U.S. 6.