Columbia Heights is getting a new $2.6 million pedestrian bridge that students and others will use to cross over busy Central Avenue -- at a cost to city taxpayers of about $24,500.
Sound like a deal?
"I think so," said Mayor Gary Peterson.
Stimulus and other federal funds will cover about $2.1 million of the cost for the bridge at 49th Avenue, said City Engineer Kevin Hansen. State road funds will pay for $456,000. The 140-foot bridge, which will replace a 39-year-old span, will carry students across the four-lane artery to four public schools on 49th Avenue within a few blocks of Central.
The City Council voted 4 to 1 Monday to approve a construction bid by C.S. McCrossan of Maple Grove and a construction engineering contract.
The dissenting vote was cast by Council Member Bruce Nawrocki. He said the city's limited state road aid could be better used on other road work and not a state-owned bridge.
"It's a MnDOT bridge; they ought to be paying for it," Nawrocki said.
"I don't think the [current] bridge needs replacement," he added. "It needs a coat of paint."