Summer Opening Likely for New Pedestrian Bridge

Hikers and cyclists eagerly awaiting the opening of Kent's new pedestrian bridge over the Cuyahoga River have a few months yet before they can stand atop the concrete span.

The pedestrian bridge, a part of the Fairchild Avenue Bridge project, looks mostly finished where it stands in place of the former Crain Avenue Bridge.

Kent City Engineer Jim Bowling said the bridge and path likely won't open until the entire bridge project, which includes the vehicle bridge and a new park area, is finished some time in June or July.

"I don't expect the path to open until the entire project is complete and Beaver Construction has cleaned up and restored the entire area," Bowling said via email.

The pedestrian bridge represents the last major element of the approximately $25 million project, which includes $13.25 million in federal money from the Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study, ODOT and the County Engineers Association of Ohio.

The entire bridge project was slated for a December 2012 finish, but weather and other issues delayed the finish date.