The project replaced the bridge that was built in 1927 after it was deemed “structurally deficient”.
The 220-foot bridge has three spans of prestressed concrete I-beams on reinforced concrete wall type abutments and wall type piers, according to the engineer’s office.
The project also added a left-turn lane from westbound Ridge Avenue onto Riverside Drive and a left-turn lane from eastbound Ridge Avenue onto Riverside Drive.
The new sidewalk will be 10 feet wide, about four inches wider than the old path. The bus stop on the northeast corner of the intersection also has been improved.
Federal funds will paid for $5 million of the project, 80 percent of the cost. About $650,000 came from the county engineer’s gas tax and basic vehicle license fee distributions. The balance, $600,000, came from Permissive Funds, which also come from vehicle license fees, Gruner said when the project was announced.
The World War I memorial on the bridge - honoring D Battery, 134th Field Artillery, 37th Division - and a cannon were moved off-site during the bridge construction. Both will be replaced when the job is completed.
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