Crews worked to pour the concrete abutments for the upcoming pedestrian bridge at Lake Darling State Park. Photo courtesy of Friends of Lake Darling.

Preparations have been underway for the new pedestrian bridge at Lake Darling State Park.

This November crews poured the concrete abutments where the bridge will connect the silt dam and fishing trail at the south end of the lake. Park Ranger Zach Haworth shares when the bridge will be installed, “They’re actually, with the abutments being poured already, they’re actually on pace right now. They’re hoping to install the bridge right around January 4, right there at the beginning of January.”

This ADA-compliant bridge is being funded by a $200,000 donation from Richland native Jerry B. Robinson. Crews will be working on mobilizing the equipment to install the bridge, which was constructed by Contech Engineered Solutions in Minnesota. The park will work on grading the approaches to the bridge, with it anticipated to be open for pedestrians by spring of 2018.