Bridge connecting parks set for reconstruction

Published 6:02 pm Tuesday, April 18, 2023

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After a months-long wait, the City of Brewton awarded a bid to Covington Contracting for the reconstruction of the city’s walking bridge between two parks.
During a recent meeting of the Brewton City Council, the bid award of $521,389.60 was approved for the walking bridge that connects O’Bannon Park and Jennings Park in Brewton.
City Clerk Brooke Hartin said the project will now move forward.
“Materials have been hard to find to fit into the confines of the grant,” Hartin said. “We found a new material to use and have had bids submitted for the work. This has been on the books since 2020.”
The low bid that was approved by the council was received from Covington Contracting, Inc.
Although the grant funds were provided on an 80/20 split, Hartin said the city had met it’s match on the project through fees and other work preparing for the project.
With the awarding of the bid, the project can now move forward. The bridge currently connecting the two parks has suffered damage from wear-and-tear, age and weather issues over the years.
The new bridge will provide a safe walking track between the parks for those who utilize the trails for outings and exercise.
Hartin said the timeframe for the actual reconstruction of the bridge will be dependant upon many conditions.
“I am not sure when the work will begin,” Hartin said. “It depends on how long it takes to get the material shipped to us. Once we receive the materials, it should take a few months to complete depending on weather.”
The new bridge will be constructed using a new composite material that will be resistant to weather/environmental deterioration. The current bridge is constructed using usual wood products.
The bridge is part of a walking trail within Jennings Park connecting to O’Bannon Park. The bridge crosses a swampy area to O’Bannon Park.