The Columbus City Council approved a $46,400 quote for an emergency repair to the North Lehmberg Road bridge during its Tuesday meeting.
The council unanimously approved the quote to Weathers Construction. Mayor Robert Smith said the repair will be paid for through the city’s general fund.
City Engineer Kevin Stafford said he will issue the notice to proceed for the company today and that work should begin after five days. From there, Stafford said repairs should take about two weeks.
“In ballpark terms, they’d be finishing around February 23,” Stafford said. “The bridge will reopen as soon as the concrete in the piling we’re repairing is at 2,000 psi. We anticipate that being a day or two after they pour it, so it should be the 24th or 25th when it’s reopened to the public if all goes well and the weather cooperates.”
The city closed the bridge, which is near Dutch Village, on Monday. An inspection a few weeks ago revealed that some of the supporting steel pilings suffered from severe rust deterioration that required immediate attention. City officials announced the closing last week and said they expected the bridge would remain closed through the end of the month.
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
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