A fabricated bridge and all the labor needed to get it into place saw the bulk of that work completed this morning at the City of Bridgeport’s new parking lot just off Main Street, City Engineer Tom Brown said.

 

Workers with City Crane out of Morgantown and also staff of Quality Machine, the company that fabricated the bridge in question, had the bulk of the structure in place by 10:30 a.m. this morning. The bridge in question is at the new Center Street Parking Lot and is a pedestrian bridge.

 

The still relatively new free public parking facility along Center Street and directly off of Main Street, or U.S. Route 50’s westbound lane, has required those utilizing it to walk from the lot, up the small incline and across the Center Street Bridge for access. The bridge put in place today will provide convenience for direct access to Main Street.

 

Although the bridge is set on the foundation, it could be another couple of weeks until everything is in place correctly to allow for those utilizing the parking lot to walk directly to Main Street between two businesses, said Brown. The businesses are Murray, Queen and Company as well as Marquette Insurance Agency.                            

“I really anticipate this helping out our business,” said Doug Marquette. “For as long as I can remember we had on-street parking and when that was eliminated it hurt the business. Any business owner will tell you that convenience is a factor when choosing a business such as ours. I’m very pleased with the city’s attention to this matter and how it’s taking place.”

 

The cost of the bridge, Brown said, is in the $65,000 range. Earlier, Council had approved the purchase of property and contract work that came to roughly $140,000. There are also some additional costs as Mon Power began work this morning, which puts the project above the $200,000 range.

 

“They are installing 12 lights, including two lights that will help light up the bridge,” said Brown. “That won’t be an overnight process, but we’re moving forward.”

 

 “The installation of the bridge has been an extremely smooth process,” said Brown. “You had workers here around 9 a.m. this morning and by 10:30 a.m. they’re bolting things down.”

 

Because of the project, Center Street will likely be closed until at least 4 p.m. today. The parking lot, Brown said, should be open – although he emphasized the pedestrian bridge will not – by 4 p.m. as well.

 

For those with questions about the project, the can contact Bridgeport Public Works at 304-842-8206.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows City Engineer Tom Brown watching work being done as the main part of the bridge is put in place, while workers in the second photo line up the deck prior to it being put into place. Bottom photo shows the street lights that will be included in the parking lot.