Akron Bike-Hike Trail Comments and Updates

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Not So Fast... Construction Delayed

11/22/11 by Ohio Bikeways

From the The-News-Leader.com, "A new section of the county hike and bike trail won't be open until after February, after the county park district was notified a contractor is delaying delivery of a 310-foot bridge for the project.

"The $1.09 million bridge is intended to span Interstate 271 at Brandywine Falls. The project site straddles the Northfield Center-Sagamore Hills border.

"David Whited, planning director for Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, told the News Leader he was notified of the delay Nov. 18. Whited said delivery was initially scheduled in August, but that date had been pushed back until Dec. 1.

"Whited said the park district was informed by the Ohio Department of Transportation, which is overseeing the bridge installation, that delivery will be delayed again because the contractor building the bridge had to redo some work."

Reroute Construction Nearly Complete

11/19/11 by Ohio Bikeways

From Ohio.com, "The relocated Bike & Hike Trail in northern Summit County is nearly done. The final piece, a 300-foot-long bridge, to carry the trail over Interstate 271 is scheduled to be delivered Dec. 1.

"It will take some time to assemble the trail-only bridge, but it should be in place within a week or so, planner David Whited told commissioners of Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, at their meeting Friday."

Brandywine Rd Construction Progress

10/13/11 by Ohio Bikeways

From newsnet5.com, "...Summit County Metroparks along with the Cuyahoga Valley National Park are building a trail along Brandywine Road near the falls in the national park.

"The southern end of the one-mile route is finished, but the Interstate 271 overpass and the tunnel area near the falls are far from completed. Four bridges on the northern end of the new trail are near completion."

Realignment Construction Begins

5/25/11 by Ohio Bikeways

From The-News-Leader.com, "...In early April, workers began removing trees along the 1-mile route of a trail realignment and in late April, the construction of a 310-foot pedestrian bridge over Interstate 271 began. David Whited, metroparks chief of planning and development, said this ultimately means trail users will no longer have to walk or bike along the side of a steep portion of Brandywine Road north of the falls.

"Whited said May 19 the $2.53-million project is scheduled for completion in November, but added that there had already been weather-related delays and if this continues, completion could be postponed until spring 2012."

Brandywine Road Bypass Bids

12/16/10 by Ohio Bikeways

From Ohio.com, "Signed final agreements with the Ohio Department of Transportation to reroute the Bike & Hike Trail off Brandywine Road and across Interstate 271 in northern Summit County.

"Bids are scheduled to be let in February for the the long-discussed project in Northfield Center and Sagamore Hills townships, park district planner David Whited said.

"The project, first proposed 10 years ago, has a price tag of $1.5 million, with the state providing $700,000. It will get bicyclists off busy Brandywine Road."

Brandywine Road Construction

7/27/10 by Chuck SanFilippo

Brandywine Rd is closed at 271, making it impossible to continue on the trail from the North and South. No signs are posted on the trail warning riders of the closure and no detours are posted, the closed sign is right at the bridge.

I then took the Carriage Trail connector and found guardrails across the path but no signs indicating it was closed, walked the bike in bad areas; read about the problems on this web site when I got home. I use this site all the time to check News, thanks and keep up the good work!!!

Brandywine Road Bypass

4/1/10 by Ohio Bikeways

Plans for re-routing the Brandywine Road section of the bikeway are moving forward. The trail will be routed off-road and pass by the scenic Brandywine Falls. Construction may begin as early as 2010. See the Summit Parks web site for status reports.

Paving To Be Completed Soon

8/3/07 by Ohio Bikeways

Paving of the final crushed stone segment of the trail is slated for July - August 2007. This will make the entire trail an asphalt surfaced bikeway.

Asphalt Resurfacing Continues

8/28/06 by Joseph Chase

In July 2006, all remaining gravel sections of the trail in Stow were paved except for a few hundred feet east of Stow Road adjacent to Silver Springs Park. The completed sections are 8' asphalt and very nicely finished.

As of August 27, this short section near Stow Road is still packed gravel and barely passable for road bikes.

Stow Bikeway Extension

9/21/05 by Craig Morgan

The Stow Bikeway now extends about 2 miles into Portage County (towards the Towner's Woods Trail) ending at Hudson Road in Franklin Township to the northwest of the city of Kent. All new asphalt.

Major Resurfacing Along North End

6/16/03 by Charles Bashforth

There have been some changes on the Summit County Bike and Hike Trail. I ride this trail regularly. The entire north section from Alexander Road to the trail split [Rt. 8] is now paved asphalt. It's not near the rough ride that it used to be. In fact, what used to be the worst street crossing on the north section now has a bridge that goes over the road! There are plans to pave some of the remaining stone portions of the trail on the southern loop....there are signs warning of possible trail closings this summer, but it was completely open as of yesterday (6/1/03) when I rode the entire trail.

...The paved section from Alexander Road to the trail split covers about 10 miles, although there is a short section by Brandywine Falls that you have to bike on the road that is included in that section (maybe 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile). There is a small parking lot right on Alexander road that is a pretty good parking area that I use.

Trail Specs:

Class: A2++

Length: 33 miles (includes road riding) - width varies from 8-12'

Condition: Good to Excellent

Facilities: Restrooms & water stops are trailside along the Cuyahoga River. SR 303, Springdale, Silver Springs and SR 91 lots have restrooms. Carry extra water on the northern section, it's more remote.

Food: Where the Stow Bikeway ends at Graham Rd follow bike route signs to W. Main St. Go west for a short distance (perhaps 1/4 - 1/2 mile) and you'll find some restaurants.

Parking: 685 & 686 Aurora Rd, Sagamore Hills; 298 Boston Mills Rd. W., Boston Heights; 64 Streetsboro Rd, Boston Heights; 331 Barlow Rd, Hudson; 968 Springdale Rd, Stow; 2985 Kent Rd, Stow; 130 N. Main St, Munroe falls. Also at Brandywine Falls & Silver Springs Park & Camprground.

Munroe-Falls Kent Darrowville Boston-Heights Sagamore-Hills

22.9mi 19mi 13.8mi 7.5mi 3.2mi

Trail Basics Trail Safety Bikeway Facilities Trip Planning Rules & Tips Trail Overseers Trail Surfaces & Uses Terms & Definitions Review Notes Trail Classes Articles Submit Updates	Resize A A A Not So Fast... Construction Delayed 11/22/11 by Ohio Bikeways From the The-News-Leader.com, "A new section of the county hike and bike trail won't be open until after February, after the county park district was notified a contractor is delaying delivery of a 310-foot bridge for the project. "The $1.09 million bridge is intended to span Interstate 271 at Brandywine Falls. The project site straddles the Northfield Center-Sagamore Hills border. "David Whited, planning director for Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, told the News Leader he was notified of the delay Nov. 18. Whited said delivery was initially scheduled in August, but that date had been pushed back until Dec. 1. "Whited said the park district was informed by the Ohio Department of Transportation, which is overseeing the bridge installation, that delivery will be delayed again because the contractor building the bridge had to redo some work." Reroute Construction Nearly Complete 11/19/11 by Ohio Bikeways From Ohio.com, "The relocated Bike & Hike Trail in northern Summit County is nearly done. The final piece, a 300-foot-long bridge, to carry the trail over Interstate 271 is scheduled to be delivered Dec. 1. "It will take some time to assemble the trail-only bridge, but it should be in place within a week or so, planner David Whited told commissioners of Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, at their meeting Friday." Brandywine Rd Construction Progress 10/13/11 by Ohio Bikeways From newsnet5.com, "...Summit County Metroparks along with the Cuyahoga Valley National Park are building a trail along Brandywine Road near the falls in the national park. "The southern end of the one-mile route is finished, but the Interstate 271 overpass and the tunnel area near the falls are far from completed. Four bridges on the northern end of the new trail are near completion." Realignment Construction Begins 5/25/11 by Ohio Bikeways From The-News-Leader.com, "...In early April, workers began removing trees along the 1-mile route of a trail realignment and in late April, the construction of a 310-foot pedestrian bridge over Interstate 271 began. David Whited, metroparks chief of planning and development, said this ultimately means trail users will no longer have to walk or bike along the side of a steep portion of Brandywine Road north of the falls. "Whited said May 19 the $2.53-million project is scheduled for completion in November, but added that there had already been weather-related delays and if this continues, completion could be postponed until spring 2012." Brandywine Road Bypass Bids 12/16/10 by Ohio Bikeways From Ohio.com, "Signed final agreements with the Ohio Department of Transportation to reroute the Bike & Hike Trail off Brandywine Road and across Interstate 271 in northern Summit County. "Bids are scheduled to be let in February for the the long-discussed project in Northfield Center and Sagamore Hills townships, park district planner David Whited said. "The project, first proposed 10 years ago, has a price tag of $1.5 million, with the state providing $700,000. It will get bicyclists off busy Brandywine Road." Brandywine Road Construction 7/27/10 by Chuck SanFilippo Brandywine Rd is closed at 271, making it impossible to continue on the trail from the North and South. No signs are posted on the trail warning riders of the closure and no detours are posted, the closed sign is right at the bridge. I then took the Carriage Trail connector and found guardrails across the path but no signs indicating it was closed, walked the bike in bad areas; read about the problems on this web site when I got home. I use this site all the time to check News, thanks and keep up the good work!!! Brandywine Road Bypass 4/1/10 by Ohio Bikeways Plans for re-routing the Brandywine Road section of the bikeway are moving forward. The trail will be routed off-road and pass by the scenic Brandywine Falls. Construction may begin as early as 2010. See the Summit Parks web site for status reports. Paving To Be Completed Soon 8/3/07 by Ohio Bikeways Paving of the final crushed stone segment of the trail is slated for July - August 2007. This will make the entire trail an asphalt surfaced bikeway. Asphalt Resurfacing Continues 8/28/06 by Joseph Chase In July 2006, all remaining gravel sections of the trail in Stow were paved except for a few hundred feet east of Stow Road adjacent to Silver Springs Park. The completed sections are 8' asphalt and very nicely finished. As of August 27, this short section near Stow Road is still packed gravel and barely passable for road bikes. Stow Bikeway Extension 9/21/05 by Craig Morgan The Stow Bikeway now extends about 2 miles into Portage County (towards the Towner's Woods Trail) ending at Hudson Road in Franklin Township to the northwest of the city of Kent. All new asphalt. Major Resurfacing Along North End 6/16/03 by Charles Bashforth There have been some changes on the Summit County Bike and Hike Trail. I ride this trail regularly. The entire north section from Alexander Road to the trail split [Rt. 8] is now paved asphalt. It's not near the rough ride that it used to be. In fact, what used to be the worst street crossing on the north section now has a bridge that goes over the road! There are plans to pave some of the remaining stone portions of the trail on the southern loop....there are signs warning of possible trail closings this summer, but it was completely open as of yesterday (6/1/03) when I rode the entire trail. ...The paved section from Alexander Road to the trail split covers about 10 miles, although there is a short section by Brandywine Falls that you have to bike on the road that is included in that section (maybe 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile). There is a small parking lot right on Alexander road that is a pretty good parking area that I use. Trail Specs: Class: A2++ Length: 33 miles (includes road riding) - width varies from 8-12' Condition: Good to Excellent Facilities: Restrooms & water stops are trailside along the Cuyahoga River. SR 303, Springdale, Silver Springs and SR 91 lots have restrooms. Carry extra water on the northern section, it's more remote. Food: Where the Stow Bikeway ends at Graham Rd follow bike route signs to W. Main St. Go west for a short distance (perhaps 1/4 - 1/2 mile) and you'll find some restaurants. Parking: 685 & 686 Aurora Rd, Sagamore Hills; 298 Boston Mills Rd. W., Boston Heights; 64 Streetsboro Rd, Boston Heights; 331 Barlow Rd, Hudson; 968 Springdale Rd, Stow; 2985 Kent Rd, Stow; 130 N. Main St, Munroe falls. Also at Brandywine Falls & Silver Springs Park & Camprground. Munroe-Falls Kent Darrowville Boston-Heights Sagamore-Hills 22.9mi 19mi 13.8mi 7.5mi 3.2mi	Updates & Comments Featured Review Trail Specs Maps & More Weather Forecast \| Weather Maps