The footbridge from Kokomo Beach to Foster Park was a problem to install, a quarter-inch off, requiring additional bolt holes to be drilled before it could be secured in place.
Not so with the new bridge over the Wildcat Creek, installed Tuesday morning without a hitch.
As a 365-ton crane lifted the 125-foot long bridge in the parking lot east of Central Middle School, a group of city officials looked on.
It took about 30 minutes for a crew from Beatty Construction, Indianapolis, to get the 53,700-pound bridge bolted in place.
As the crane’s straps relaxed, and the bright blue structure spanned the Wildcat Creek, former city parks board president Tom Miklik joined parks superintendent John Martino and current board president John Wiles in a moment of congratulations.
“It finally happened,” Miklik said, watching as Martino cracked a grin.
The crews spent last week driving pilings about 15 feet down into the steep creekbanks, and then pouring 8-foot tall concrete abutments to support the ends of the bridge.
Neighborhood residents stopped to watch Tuesday as the bridge itself, constructed by Minnesota-based firm Con-Tech, arrived on two semi-trailers. The two pieces were bolted together, and the bridge was ready to be lowered into place.
Martino said crews will soon build asphalt ramps at both ends of the bridge, which connects the parking lot off Apperson Way with Kokomo-Center Schools’ Kautz Field on the opposite side.
The bridge is symbolic of progress in a hard-fought battle to obtain state funding for Phase 2 of the city’s Walk of Excellence.
After a six-year battle, the Indiana Department of Transportation awarded a contract on the $1.2 million project in May, and work crews began clearing the path for the new pedestrian bridge that same month.
“It’s been a long time coming, that’s for sure,” Martino said after the contract was awarded. “But when it’s complete, it will be a beautiful urban walk through the south end of downtown, along the Wildcat.”
By November, Beatty is expected to have completed the path, which will feature a boardwalk on the north side of the creek, the pedestrian bridge, and an asphalt path stretching to Waterworks Park along Carter Street.
When Phase 2 is complete, the city will have a path linking Miller-Highland Park, Foster Park, the Kautz Field area south of Memorial Gym (dubbed “Future Park” by city officials) and Waterworks.
To get to this point, however, city officials, starting in the Trobaugh administration, had to endure six years of bureaucratic red tape from INDOT.
Because of the delay in acquiring the state Transportation Enhancement Grant, the state is pledging an extra $100,000 toward the project, to be used for any contingencies, and possibly to add a looping pathway around Kautz Field, Martino said.
Local Rotarians were also instrumental to the project, donating $30,000 toward the pedestrian bridge.
Scott Smith may be reached at (765) 454-8569 or via e-mail at scott.smith@kokomotribune.com
Local News
Related Photos
Discussion
New Walk of Excellence bridge now in place
125-foot long bridge spans Wildcat near Apperson Way
- Local News
-
-
Delphi retirees continue fight for pensions
A group of then-Delphi Corp. retirees saw a long road ahead of them when they banded in 2009 to keep hold of their full pensions and benefits.
-
Eastern moves ahead on wind turbine
A packed room of remonstrators Tuesday held little sway over the Eastern Howard Schools board, which voted unanimously to move ahead on a $2.75 million wind turbine project.
-
Board: discipline not strict enough
The Medical Licensing Board of Indiana has rejected a proposed resolution to a Russiaville doctor’s disciplinary case, directing the Indiana Attorney General’s Office to propose a more stringent set of requirements.
-
City to end agreement with Novia
City officials said Tuesday they’re planning to switch providers at the city’s employee health-care clinic this spring, ending a year-old relationship with Novia Health Care.
-
Eastern celebrates graduation rate improvement
The latest graduation rates prove all Howard County schools are offering a quality education, a local superintendent said.
That’s how Tracy Caddell, superintendent of the Eastern Howard School Corp., summed up the figures released Tuesday by the Indiana Department of Education.
-
Jail full of females
In late January, cell mates Monica Clark Davis and Christy Miller were awaiting disposition of their respective cases in the Howard County jail.
-
Eastern set for wind turbine meeting
GREENTOWN — Eastern Howard Schools superintendent Tracy Caddell said Monday the school board is considering alternate sites for a proposed wind turbine project, which would build a 287-foot-tall windmill to produce energy for the schools.
-
Chamber cancels cook-off
After an 11-year run, the annual chili cook-off in Kokomo has been canceled for this year.
-
Miami County GOP fails to appoint new trustee
PERU – Miami County commissioners will be forced to appoint a Perry Township trustee after the GOP’s county chairman exceeded the deadline to replace the vacated seat.
-
Students petition to keep daycare at IUK
A group of Indiana University Kokomo students is petitioning the university to reconsider shutting down an on-campus childcare center.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms
Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate'
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
