Leonard Turner, 83, and his wife Edith, 78, of West Stewart Street, are among the celebrants. They’ve lived on their well-kept street since 1958. Trips to Kroger, doctor’s appointments and other regular errands became something of a hassle. “We had to go around downtown, uptown, all over town to get somewhere,” Edith said. “Now that it’s open it will be a big relief.”
Life will also get easier for clients of the Job Center, 1111 S. Edwin C. Moses Blvd., operated by Montgomery County Job and Family Services.
“All of our (client) numbers have increased because of the economy,” said Ann Stevens, spokeswoman. “The re-opening will make it easier for clients to get to the services, and for employees to get to Brown Street at lunchtime.”
Drivers taking detours through Veterans Park meant danger for runners, bikers and the homeless, she added.
“It’s just not meant to be a thoroughfare and that’s what happened with the bridge being down,” Stevens said.
Brady Kress, director and CEO Dayton History and the Carillon Historical Park, said he’s happy bridge work has wrapped up.
“Kudos to everyone, Kress said. “They did a fantastic job.”
Kress said he was impressed with by the speed of the construction, and the beauty of the design. “It looks gorgeous,” Kress said.
Christmas trees are being prepared for sale at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds at Main and Stewart. With bridge construction completed two weeks early, shoppers will have an easier time, said Dan Bullen, general manager of the fairgrounds.
Patrick McGaha, area director of sales for Marriott International, Inc., and its hotel at 1414 S. Patterson Blvd., said the hotel had a strong year, even with the bridge down.
The inconvenience of the construction was well worth it, he added. “Everything that’s being done down there is really cleaning up the area,” McGaha said. “It gives a much better representation to the city.”
Overall, the package designed by Woolpert Inc. of Dayton is impressive — visually and otherwise. The new 651-foot reinforced concrete span is a “hybrid pier bridge,” with piers into the riverbed that hold “Y” shaped bridge supports, said general contractor Ahern & Associates Inc. project manager Sean Wade.
The bridge is 93 feet wide with 10.5-foot wide sidewalks on each side. The old bridge was slightly shorter and about 75-feet wide, Wade said. When the bridge opens to traffic, workers will still be finishing up some tasks including installing under-bridge lighting, Wade added.
There will be a ceremony open to the public at noon on Monday.
University of Dayton Flyers mascot Rudy Flyer will lead the precession of vehicles across the new bridge for the first time.
Spectators are asked to arrive at the eastern end of the bridge at Stewart St. & Patterson Blvd. (western end of the bridge will be closed until after the ceremony). Parking will be available on the bridge (eastern end only) and Veterans Parkway.
For more information on the event, please call (937) 333-3616.
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