River Infrastructure & Renewal
Hillside Stabilization
Background
As a result in part of ancient geologic instability, the hillside between W. 25th Street and the Cuyahoga River continues an inexorable and decades-long slide into the river. The slippage increased significantly in recent years and led to closing of Riverbed Road because a stretch of the road split, with one lane falling several feet down the hillside. The slowly collapsing unstable hillside also threatens a major sewer line and has rendered much of a 31-acre land area nearly undevelopable. A sudden and catastrophic collapse that closes off the river to vessel traffic isn’t expected. But a solution must be developed soon. Engineering evaluations by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimated that repair costs – depending on the solution selected – could range from $80 million to $219 million.
Current Situation
The Port is not a landowner at Irishtown Bend. But because of the need to safeguard the river for maritime traffic, the Port is leading efforts to develop a solution – and one that doesn’t only stop the sliding but creates new opportunities for public access. The hillside provides striking views of the river and downtown skyline, and could become part of the Lake Link Trail connecting the Towpath to Wendy Park on the lakefront.
The hillside is comprised of layers of glacial deposits. One of the layers buried well below the surface is losing its traction, making the layers above more susceptible to gravity’s pull. The rate at which the hillside is sliding appears to be increasing as the layers essentially lose more of their structural grip.
2 Photos
The hillside is comprised of layers of glacial deposits. One of the layers buried well below the surface is losing its traction, making the layers above more susceptible to gravity’s pull. The rate at which the hillside is sliding appears to be increasing as the layers essentially lose more of their structural grip.
2 Photos
Franklin Hill is a 30-acre site near the West Side Market, between W. 25th Street and the Cuyahoga River. But few people know it exists because it has become a tree-covered, unsafe and impassable barrier that threatens the ship channel. Our aerial photos show the hillside’s location. Imagine the day when Ohio City residents and visitors can take a path down to the river, enjoy a picnic from the market, and then walk along a trail that could eventually take them to Wendy Park and the lakefront.
7 Photos
Franklin Hill is a 30-acre site near the West Side Market, between W. 25th Street and the Cuyahoga River. But few people know it exists because it has become a tree-covered, unsafe and impassable barrier that threatens the ship channel. Our aerial photos show the hillside’s location. Imagine the day when Ohio City residents and visitors can take a path down to the river, enjoy a picnic from the market, and then walk along a trail that could eventually take them to Wendy Park and the lakefront.
7 Photos
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