Pedestrian bridge over Pigeon River reopens

Walkway could be replaced years down the road
By: 
Grace Kirchner
Correspondent

CLINTONVILLE — The walking bridge over the Pigeon River that connects the parking lot at the Clintonville Community Center at 30 S. Main St. and the parking lot of the shopping center at the corner of West 12th Street and South Main Street reopened Wednesday.

The bridge had been closed since July 2017 when an assessment found the fencing to be unsafe. Additional fencing has been added.

City Administrator Sharon Eveland has said that she knows the bridge is important to the community, and she had a lot of calls about it.

Alderman Jim Supanich said that, in the long term, the city is probably looking at a replacement. He is looking at a riverwalk development in that area that could include the bridge, but that might not happen for several years.

The Common Council had approved spending up to $10,000 to repair the bridge. The money came from the capital account.

Mayor Richard Beggs said the pedestrian bridge was important to Clintonville, and the city has to stop shutting things down and not reopening them.

“We have to start adding back to our value to our overall appearance,” he said.

The bridge will be inspected every year for deterioration.