Public Comments Requested for Sippo Valley Trail Bridge Replacement
The Sippo Valley Trail spans more than 10 miles between the City of Massillon and the Village of Dalton. Running parallel to the Sippo Valley Creek, the trail is a mixture of asphalt and limestone surfaces with a total of 12 bridges. Stark Parks has a goal of repairing one bridge each year along the Sippo Valley Trail with priority given to the bridges in most need of repair.
Stark Parks, in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), invites the public to provide comments regarding the proposed replacement of an existing 15' long timber bridge structure (Sippo Valley Trail Bridge No. 1) located on the Sippo Valley Trail, east of Alabama Avenue NW in the City of Massillon, Stark County. The project will install a new four-sided concrete box culvert and repair/reconstruct adjacent trail approaches to tie into the new structure.
While the project will maintain access to the remainder of the Sippo Valley Trail, the trail section between Alabama Avenue NW and Ben Fulton Avenue NW will be closed.
Appropriate measures will be taken to ensure the safety of the public and protect trail facilities. Moreover, the project will be closely coordinated with Stark Parks, the City of Massillon Parks and Recreation Department and ODOT prior to and during construction activities.
All project work will be performed within existing trail right-of-way. Tree trimming or removal and stream impacts needed to access and replace the bridge will be minimized to maximum extent practicable.
Construction is currently scheduled to begin in late spring or early summer of 2027.
While the proposed project will not result in any adverse impacts to the Sippo Valley Trail or result in substantial impacts to environmental resources, Stark Parks and ODOT are seeking any comments you may have regarding the proposed project. Issues you may wish to comment on include, but are not limited to, the effect of the project on local residents, the local economy, floodplains, and historic or cultural resources. To ensure your comments may be considered during project development, please submit them no later than December 1, 2025, via the contact information below.
If you have any questions or comments about the project please contact:
Brian Peck
Environmental Specialist
ODOT District 4
2088 South Arlington Road, Akron, Ohio 44306-4243
330.786.4931 (office)
Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin or disability. The comment period ends December 1, 2025. We sincerely appreciate your involvement!