Cost of proposed Paxton bridge questioned at hearing

PAXTON – Though the idea of a new pedestrian bridge over the Canadian National Railroad tracks is appealing, several residents at a public hearing Monday questioned the city's portion of the cost if it wins a federal construction grant.

City engineer Tom Overmyer has proposed a $650,000 pedestrian-bicycle bridge at Center Street. The current vehicle bridge there will be demolished and not rebuilt after a new vehicle bridge is built at Holmes Street later this year. He said he will propose to the state a concrete bridge with underlying steel that is a total of 14 feet wide with two lanes of 5 feet each. Enhancements could include decorative lighting that is similar to what is on the new vehicle bridges.

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