An Ottumwa pedestrian bridge that has been closed for over a year will be the site of a ribbon-cutting next week.
The Wabash Bridge, which goes over the Des Moines River, has been closed since December 2021 due to a fire. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on September 7 at 5:30 PM to celebrate its reopening.
Attendees are asked to gather at the south end of the bridge. Parking is available under the Jefferson Street Bridge near the National Little League baseball field.
In December 2022, the Wapello County Board of Supervisors approved bids for the construction of a new bridge approach at a cost of approximately $430,000. The Wapello County Trails Council then spearheaded the construction of a connector between the historic metal span and the timber deck and also repaired the damage caused by a second fire in the spring of 2022.
“We are thrilled to have this iconic trail feature open to the public. So many people were involved in making this project a reality. It’s important to recognize their efforts and celebrate this monumental accomplishment.” Kim Hellige, Wapello County Trails Council President
