SPOKANE, Wash. — After seven months of renovations, the pedestrian bridge connecting the University District with downtown Spokane is wrapping up.
The Don Kardong Pedestrian Bridge will officially reopen Friday, Dec. 16. City of Spokane Parks and Recreation said the project was done ahead of schedule and within budget.
The project cost $3.36 million, according to Spokane Parks and Recreation. Funding came from grants, donations and American Rescue Plan (ARP) dollars.
Graco Construction started the renovations in May 2022.
Some of the main improvements were replacing the wooden deck with concrete and adding new guardrails. The bridge's overlook areas were also switched out to ADA-friendly platforms.
The city said it also repaired some portions of the trail near the bridge.
Beyond the maintenance upgrades and better accessibility, Spokane Parks and Recreation said the restoration extends the life of the Don Kardong Bridge by about 50 years.
“This project is about partners and funders coming together to identify a need and working to address it,” Garrett Jones, City of Spokane Parks & Recreation director, said in a statement. “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 project isn’t fully complete yet; some finishing touches like signs will be added in 2023. A formal reopening ceremony is planned for the spring.
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