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Home > News Update: Fulton Road Bridge

Fulton Road Bridge Closing

November 20, 2007: Construction Update

From Monday, November 26 through Sunday, December 9 -- and periodically throughout the winter -- the main Zoo footpath that leads to its Northern Trek exhibits will be closed. Northern Trek will remain open all winter. On days that the footpath is closed, Zoo visitors will be able to ride a complimentary tram or heated shuttle along the Zoo's perimeter to Northern Trek, which is home to tigers, seals, sea lions, wolves, camels, reindeer and North America's largest collection of bear species.

Read the Press Release



Please read on for updates, photos, and video of the Fulton Road Bridge demolition and construction. The construction zone is indicated on the map below, or see our online directions page for recommended routes to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo during construction.

Bridge construction panoramic shot
Fulton Road Bridge
(photo taken from the Zoo's Rhino Lot on 4/10/2007)

Bridge Closing Information

The Fulton Road Bridge directly over Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is closed for demolition and reconstruction. A new bridge will be built in its place and is expected to open summer 2009.

During construction, the main entrance to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo on Wildlife Way will remain open. Zoo visitors are advised to allow extra travel time and to follow posted detour signs. To avoid possible traffic delays, recommended routes are listed on our directions page.

The construction zone is indicated on the map below.

map

Project updates will also be available at www.fultonbridgereplacement.com or from the Ohio Department of Transportation web site, www.buckeyetraffic.org.

BRIDGE DEMOLITION

WATCH the full-demolition video
choose format: Windows Media | Quicktime (MP4) | YouTube (Streaming Flash)

Fulton Road Bridge DemolitionMay 1, 2007: Fulton Road Bridge Demolition

The Fulton Road Bridge was demolished at 6 p.m. today. The Zoo will open at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 2.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo spent months preparing for the Fulton Road Bridge demolition, working closely with the Ohio Department of Transportation and taking extra precautions to protect its animals, employees, volunteers and visitors.

The Zoo's animals and structures are fine.

View more demolition photos in The Roar Report blog.

WATCH the partial-demolition video
Choose format: Windows Media | Quicktime (MP4) | YouTube (Streaming Flash)

Fulton Road Bridge partial demolitionApril 28, 2007: Bridge Partial Demolition

The animals at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo are doing just fine following Saturday's partial demolition of the Fulton Road Bridge. The tigers slept right through the blast and the giraffes barely batted an eye, according to their keepers. The Zoo's Northern Trek area was closed for the day due to the demolition, but it and the rest of the Zoo will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Because the full bridge was not demolished on Saturday as planned, Zoo officials are working with Ohio Department of Transportation officials to determine when the rest of it -- including the stretch over the Zoo -- will come down. Further information will be forthcoming late Monday.

April 2007: Photos of the Bridge Construction Before Implosion

View more pre-demolition photos in The Roar Report blog.

Bridge Construction from Rhino Lot
From Rhino Lot
From the Bears Exhibit
From Bears Exhibit in Northern Trek
Bridge over Wolf Cabin
Looking Up from the Wolf Cabin