Request for Professional Engineering Services-Feasibility Study for the replacement of the Metcalf Street Bridge Project No. ALL-C.R. 270-4.23 (View Legal Notice)

**** LEGAL NOTICE ****
REQUEST FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES
ALL-C.R. 270-4.23
(METCALF STREET BRIDGE REPLACEMENT FEASIBILITY STUDY)
The Allen County Engineer will be selecting an engineering firm to perform a Feasibility Study for the
replacement of the Metcalf Street Bridge located over the Norfolk Southern Railroad, 0.15 mile north of W 4th
Street in Lima, OH.
Project Description:
The Metcalf Street Bridge was originally built in 1923 as a grade separation over the railyard and carried a
streetcar track along the center of the roadway. In 1957 the streetcar line was removed and the deck was
replaced with a new concrete deck. The route on the bridge was once designated as U.S. 25 (South Dixie
Highway) before U.S. 25 was combined with I-75 in the 1960's at which point the bridge became the joint
responsibility of Allen County and the City of Lima. In 1970, the structure underwent minor rehabilitation, then
a major rehabilitation in 1989 and another minor rehabilitation again in 2007.
In 2022 the route containing the structure was put on the National Highway System (NHS). A recent inspection
produced a "Poor" (4) rating appraisal and the bridge is now posted for Ohio Legal Loads. The poor general
appraisal combined with a deck area of over 15,000 ft2 (15,763.4 ft2) qualifies the bridge for the Local Major
Bridge Program, which can provide federal funds for replacement. To apply for this funding a feasibility study is
required.
Project Scope:
Conduct a Feasibility Study to determine the proposed replacement structure type considering environmental
impacts, right-of-way, railroad issues, roadway alignment (existing alignment creates a larger span vs. a lesser-
skewed railroad crossing minimizing span length), maintenance of traffic, cost of construction, minimization of
future maintenance and inspection costs, etc. All alternatives analyzed must include a cost of construction that
can be submitted with the Major Bridge Program funding application.
The following prequalification requirements must be met by the consultant:
* Non-Complex Roadway Design
* Level 2 Bridge Design
The project shall be completed by August 31, 2027.
Submittals
Engineering firms interested in being considered for this selection must submit a Letter of Interest conforming
to the attached "Letter of Interest Form". Letters of Interest shall be limited to a maximum of 6 single-sided
pages not including a one-page cover letter and shall be submitted to the Allen County Engineer, 1501 North
Sugar Street, Lima, Ohio 45801 prior to 3:00 PM on Friday, July 17th, 2026.
In addition, the prime consultant's 2026 General Qualification Statement must be submitted and on file with
the Allen County Engineer to be considered. For firms that have not submitted General Qualification
Statements for 2026, a General Qualification Statement can be submitted along with the Letter of Interest.
This General Qualification Statement does not automatically qualify as a submittal for 2026. Please follow the
guidelines at www.allencountyohengineer.com/engconsultants/. It is anticipated that the selected consultant
will be authorized to proceed by September 1, 2026.
Technical or scope of services questions can be emailed to Doug Karhoff at dkarhoff@allencountyohio.com.