A project that started in May to give the city its latest “new road” was completed several weeks ago and it’s already proving beneficial, according to one Bridgeport official. Parks and Recreation Director Don Burton said the new drop-off location road recently constructed behind the Benedum Civic Center has already received plenty of positive feedback.

 

“A key reason that the city opted to build the small section of road was to help with our senior citizens who frequently use this building,” said Burton. “From all reports that I’ve received, the seniors really like it. From the best I can tell, it’s being utilized successfully by others as well.”

 

For years, senior citizens would have to park in the lot beside the Civic Center or across the road for events they attended at the facility. Many times, particularly for dinner or lunches, they would have to carry food with them through the lots, into the building and often down the stairs.

 

“Now, the seniors can pull up behind the building and be dropped off and take their food or other items directly into the building,” said Burton. “I also noticed that it proved helpful to the (American) Red Cross who does a lot of blood drives here. They were able to unload and load everything they needed directly into the area where the drives take place as opposed to how they hauled everything in from the front in the past.”

 

There has been one issue that has crept up since completion of the roadway. While the roadway dead ends near the backside of the Bridgeport City Pool, there is also a part of the road that was extended to allow individuals to backup, turnaround and leave the drop off area. Several times, however, people have parked their cars there and that's made it very difficult for people to utilize the new roadway for its intended purpose.

 

“That was never put back there for people to park on a regular basis and, for the most part, that’s not happened. When it does, it does create a problem,” said Burton.

 

Burton said there is a possibility that one permanent handicap parking space will be added there, but there’s not much more space to do anything with. He’s more certain as to what people will see in the next couple of weeks.

 

“We’re going to put up some signage that clearly shows the area is not meant for parking,” said Burton. “That will take place in the very near future.

 

“Even with that issue, this was money well spent because it benefits plenty of those utilizing the Civic Center,” he continued. “I think you’ll see its use grow as more people become aware of it.”

 

The road is 160 feet long by 10 feet wide. It begins where there is an opening between the small concrete parking lot retaining wall and go all the way back to the corner of the building, stopping short of the earth ramp that leads into the pool.

 

The project was done by the city’s concrete work crew. Burton said the total cost of the project was more than $10,000, which was much cheaper, he added, than had the work been contracted out.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows the backup and turning lane with a car parked in it. This is the one issue that has arisen with the new roadway behind the Benedum Civic Center. In the bottom picture is Parks and Recreation Director Don Burton.