City to obtain removal estimates

By Bert Lehman

The city of Clintonville has yet to receive a cost estimate as to how much it will cost to remove the pedestrian bridge over the Pigeon River.

Clintonville Public Works Director Kray Brown asked the Street Committee at its Sept. 5 meeting if it wanted him to seek bids for the removal of the bridge.

“I don’t know if you need to get a formal bid but there are individuals in the community that are asking what’s the situation on that walkway and whether it can be repaired,” Committee Chairman Jim Supanich said.

Committee member Tammy Strey-Hirt said that several residents have told her that the city should have received more than just one estimate on how much it would cost to repair the bridge.

“The public wants to know what all needs to be fixed on there and why is that so much money,” Strey-Hirt said. “And is it possible to save it for cheaper.”

Brown explained what some of the problems with the bridge are, including that the concrete on both sides of the bridge is deteriorating, making the fencing unsecure.

The city had previously received an estimate of $75,000 to repair the bridge.

Committee member Lance Bagstad said he hadn’t received any calls regarding the pedestrian bridge, and questioned the desire to save the bridge.

“I haven’t heard any comments so I’m trying to get a feel for what’s the reason for wanting to save that bridge?” Bagstad asked.

Supanich said some feel if the bridge is removed, it’s another case of the city removing something and not replacing it. He added that some like the ease of being able to use that bridge to go from the Clintonville Community Center to businesses in the area.

“What you have to keep in mind is we have an older community,” Supanich said.

The committee asked Brown to seek estimates as to how much it will cost to remove the pedestrian bridge and bring those back to the October Street Committee meeting.