There’s a bridge battle brewing in Steubenville. The Ft. Steuben Bridge has to come down but the controversy surrounds compensation.

It’s open to traffic both on and below, but sometime next year the Ft. Steuben Bridge will be no more. In order to tear the bridge down, the state must temporarily shut down the Steubenville marina.

“We know it’s going to be a significant impact for people up and down the river,” said Mike Paprock of the Brooke, Hancock, Jefferson Planning Commission.

Under federal law, the Ohio Department of Transportation has to pay the city for the inconvenience. Mayor Domenic Mucci wants the state to fund marina improvements like park benches, a picnic area, flag pool and a new sign.

Besides some paving, Mucci said their plans include an observation deck. Mucci said the deck would provide recreational opportunities for people on both sides of the river, like fishing.

Mucci sent the DOT his plans and its response was a $50,000 offer. Planning Administrator Greg Gurney said at most, the marina will close for five days and Steubenville would get about $10,000 a day.

“That’s unacceptable to the City of Steubenville,” said Mucci. “We’re rejecting their offer, starting a petition. We want people to sign it asking the state to honor the request of Steubenville.”

Gurney said the state has received Mucci’s rejection of the $50,000 offer and they are waiting on a response from ODOT officials in Columbus.

If the city of Steubenville and ODOT can’t come to an agreement on compensation, the Federal Highway Administration will step in and make the decision for them.

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