Second opinion sought for structure
By Bert Lehman
The city of Clintonville will seek a second opinion as to what type of rehabilitation a pedestrian bridge over the Pigeon River needs and how much it will cost for that rehab.
The bridge, which crosses the Pigeon River near the Clintonville Community Center, has been closed since July after an inspection of the bridge deemed it unsafe.
Clintonville Public Works Director Kray Brown informed the Clintonville Streets Committee at its Feb. 6 meeting that the lone estimate he received for demolition of the pedestrian bridge was for $8,500.
Brown had been instructed by the committee to seek estimates.
Committee Chairman Jim Supanich asked how much it would cost to rehabilitate the bridge if the city received a second estimate.
Brown said the city has not sought a second estimate.
“I would really like to see a second cost [estimate] before we act,” Supanich said.
Clintonville City Administrator Sharon Eveland told the committee she would contact another engineering company to get a second opinion about the bridge, including a cost estimate and what repairs are needed.
In July, the committee was told it would cost $75,000 to fix the bridge.
Committee member Steve Kettenhoven said he did not think a second cost estimate would differ much from the first.
“It might not, but without having a second estimate, we really don’t know,” Supanich said.
Eveland added a second opinion could be a good idea because it might cost less to demolish the existing bridge and build a new one than to repair the current bridge.
“I think we need to be very cautious and make sure we have a second opinion on that before we move forward with tearing that down,” Eveland said.