A public ceremony to mark the start of the project was held on the bridge this morning.  Allen County Commissioners Linda Bloom, Bill Brown and Nelson Peters were on hand for the occasion.

"The work we are about to begin on this 96-year-old span is further proof of County government's continued commitment to do all it can to keep bridges throughout Allen County as safe as possible," Bloom said.  "It also represents another example of cooperation between Allen County and the City of Fort Wayne."

The project was awarded to Pioneer Associates, Inc. last November after the firm submitted the low bid of $2.19 million. 

The first phase began February 16 and involved relocation of utilities and lowering of the pavement grade under the Norfolk and Southern Railroad overpass on Coombs Street.  That phase was completed on Monday.

The work on the 310-foot bridge includes a new reinforced concrete driving surface, new Indiana limestone handrail balusters and arch ring fascia, new drainage in the bottom of arch rings and new ornamental lighting. The bridge will be closed to traffic until the project is completed sometime in mid-to-late December.