BLUE RIVER TRAIL EXTENSION: Project rolls along; bridge parts ordered

October 8, 2012

Photo contributed: Materials are ordered for the bridge to connect the trail over the river, located south of the pond at Morshes and north of U.S. 30.

COLUMBIA CITY — The Blue River Trail extension project is rolling along as Niblock Excavating and Hamilton Hunter anticipate good progress in the coming months.
“Both parties hope to make significant progress and potentially finish the project yet this calendar year,” said Columbia City Community Development Director Jeff Walker last week.
“The bridge will be erected on-site. However, if the trail doesn’t get finished before next spring, the bridge will remain closed to pedestrian traffic.”
According to Walker, the bridge contractor, Hamilton Hunter, has set the three helical piers on each side of the river bank, as well as ordering materials for the bridge.
Walker said the trail contractor and bridge sub-contractor, Niblock Excavating, has cut in the riprap on both sides of the Blue River embankment as well as doing some clearing along the proposed trail path.
“Weather permitting, Niblock hopes to be in to start the trail Oct. 15,” said Walker.
According to Walker, the first part of any project usually takes the longest, but he said no further sign-offs are necessary before contruction.
The project will extend the trail eight-tenths of a mile, as it will allow access to citizens in the north part of the city to the park.