One was traditionally known as the Simpson Creek Bridge and renamed by Bridgeport City Council in 2006 as The Lloyd Lang Bridge. That structure crosses Simpson Creek along Main Street, having served the city as an industry thoroughfare for many decades.

 

The other is a newly-constructed pedestrian bridge which crosses Simpson Creek at Virginia Avenue. That structure was added just a year ago, providing a safe crossway for local walkers and runners.

 

Both bridges are targets of a beautification project for which the Governor Johnson Garden Club and Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Department have partnered. Several meetings have taken place between the entities over the past several months. The project came into existence when City Manager Kim Haws served as a guest speaker at a Governor Johnson Garden Club meeting.

 

“He asked that a local garden club take on the challenge and we ended up accepting that challenge,” said Joyce Johnson, club president.

 

It was decided that hanging baskets, overflying with petunias in different hues, would be used to beautify the bridges. Parks and Recreation Director Don Burton ordered the containers and the garden club took care of having them filled with flowers.

 

“They are all going to match,” Johnson said. “There will be six on each bridge.”

 

In addition to those floral baskets, coordinating ones will be located at the Benedum Civic Center fountain.

 

The Governor Johnson Garden Club has a longtime relationship with Civic Center seasonal décor. For the past several years, members have decorated the community hub for the spring, autumn and holiday seasons.

 

The garden club and Parks and Recreation staff members will be completing the beautification project this coming week. Stay tuned to Connect-Bridgeport for the “after” pictures. 

 

Editor's Note: Pictured top is the Lloyd Lang Bridge along Main Street and left, the Virginia Avenue pedestrian bridge.