Why is the ‘mural bridge’ between Oregon District and South Park closing?

One of downtown’s most popular bridges will be closing.

The Ohio Department of Transportation plans to temporarily shut down the pedestrian bridge spanning U.S. 35 between Dayton's South Park and Oregon District historic neighborhoods as part of a construction project.

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"No work is being performed on the pedestrian bridge, but rather the ramp bridge which carries traffic from 35 Westbound to S. Jefferson Street," Mandi Dillon, an ODOT information officer, told us via email. "The nature of the work will result in the temporary closing of the pedestrian bridge to repair the pier column cap to the Southern-most pier column."

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The pier column is near the pedestrian path and the on-ramp to 35 West from Wayne Avenue.

Traffic will be maintained for the 35 on ramp. Pedestrian traffic will be detoured to Wayne Avenue.

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Dillon said the closure is expected to be three to four weeks and be complete fall of 2019.

“This is part of a district-wide project with 10 structures on it with various rehabilitation work, so the closure (date) of the pedestrian ramp may not be known until the project is awarded,” Dillon said.

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The pedestrian bridge is known for the mural that covers it.

About 70 volunteers led by UpDayton painted the bridge between the historic Dayton neighborhoods in early 2012 after a design contest.

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The idea to paint the bridge evolved from an earlier upDayton Summit.

UpDayton aims to retain and attract young professionals in the Dayton area.

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

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