Construction is now underway on phases two and three of Sheffield Lake’s Lakefront Connectivity Project, a long-term effort aimed at improving walkability and access to the lakefront and recreational areas throughout the city.
The multimillion-dollar initiative, which began its first phase in 2022, is designed to connect key community points through a continuous eight-foot-wide trail system. Director of Public Service Pat Hastings said the city has officially entered the next stages of construction after a brief delay earlier this year.
“Back in April, I anticipated we’d have a summer start,” Hastings said.
“But because of the requirements of ODOT, the engineers who design it cannot be the engineers who inspect it. That delayed things a little bit as we put out a request for proposals and analyzed all the different engineers. But what we’re seeing now in real time is the construction of a connectivity trail, phase two and phase three A.”
The ongoing work will connect the covered bridge on Lake Road to the Sheffield Lake Community Center, continuing eastward along the lakefront. Two contractors, D.L. Smith and RMH, are handling the current construction, with each phase bid independently.
“Our goal is to beat Mother Nature and have all the concrete in before the snow flies,” Hastings said.
“Despite being a little bit later on the start, we have two fantastic companies working efficiently, and I’m very confident we’ll see these two phases wrapped up before we grab the snow shovels.”
Hastings said that motorists should expect minimal delays during the construction period.
“We always maintain traffic,” he said.
“There might be a slight delay, but it’ll be in such a way that there’ll be a flagman with a stop-and-slow sign. The impact to motorists is five minutes at most, no significant impact to residents or businesses.”
According to Hastings, the city has secured more than $6 million in grant funding across all phases of the project, with a small local contribution spread through 2028.
“The goal of the city and this lakefront connectivity plan is walkability, access to Lake Erie, and access to recreational opportunities and economic development,” Hastings said.
“As time goes on and all these things come together, I think it’ll be just a wonderful improvement to the city of Sheffield Lake.”
