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Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at 9:39 a.m.
SPOKANE – The Don Kardong pedestrian bridge, connecting the University District and the surrounding area with downtown, will reopen on Friday, December 16 after undergoing an extensive renovation. The project finishes ahead of schedule and within budget.
Bridge work began in May with Garco Construction. The project included replacing wood bridge decking with concrete; replacing bridge overlooks with ADA-accessible platforms; minor concrete pier repairs; steel repair and painting; new guardrails; installation of a new lighting system; and new bollards. The City also repaired several damaged portions of trail near the bridge during this project.
The restoration extends the life of the bridge for an estimated fifty years, while adding maintenance efficiencies and increasing accessibility and safety.
Additional elements, including informational signage and architectural embellishments, will be added in 2023. Parks & Recreation plans to hold a more formal reopening celebration in the spring.
“This project is about partners and funders coming together to identify a need and working to address it,” said Garrett Jones, City of Spokane Parks & Recreation director. “We are so thankful for the generosity of these partners in extending the longevity of this important District One pedestrian connector for many decades to come.”
The total construction cost for the bridge was $3.36 million, within contingency budget. Funding comes from a mix of donor, public and private grants, and American Rescue Plan funds.
Funding Partners
About City of Spokane Parks & Recreation
City of Spokane Parks and Recreation stewards nearly 120 properties across 4,000 acres of park land, including manicured parks, natural lands, aquatic centers, golf courses, sports complexes, and an arboretum. We also offer hundreds of recreation opportunities for all ages and abilities to improve the health and quality of life for our community. Enjoy all your city has to offer by visiting spokaneparks.org. Follow us @SpokaneParks on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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