State Route 8 Bridge in Akron Demolished to Make Way for Second New Bridge
October 9, 2026
Today the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Ruhlin-Great Lakes SR 8 Joint Venture demolished two sections of the now-closed 1953 State Route 8 bridge over the Cuyahoga River Valley in Akron, using a “controlled” – or explosive – demolition.
“Today we have reached another significant milestone in our SR 8 bridge replacement over the Cuyahoga River Valley,” District 4 Deputy Director Gery Noirot said. “I want to thank our ODOT team as well as the Ruhlin-Great Lakes Joint Venture for their diligent work to ensure the old bridge was demolished safely.
The bridge railings, lights, barriers and concrete driving surface have been removed using traditional methods, as well as specific spans over utilities and multiple railroads.
