An existing pedestrian bridge, which was originally built to carry utilities across the river, had become a “stumbling block” for trail goers, since it was not ADA-compliant, was only 4 feet wide and had begun deteriorating. After LJB performed a load rating, feasibility study and cost analysis, the City of Piqua elected to replace an existing river crossing with a new structure at an improved location for regional connectivity. LJB assisted in securing more than $1 million in funding for the project and was hired to design a new bridge to carry pedestrian and bicycle traffic over the Great Miami River.
LJB delivered design services, an environmental study, geotechnical investigation, and development of right-of-way plans. The new bridge is a two-span prefabricated steel truss bridge that is designed to allow cyclists to travel the path at normal speeds and will accommodate an ambulance passing over it in case of an emergency. The new alignment connects an existing city park and avoids using a seldomly-used city street adjacent to the city’s wastewater treatment plant, improving the facilities’ security for the city and quality of life for trail users.
