Long-awaited pedestrian bridge crossing over Haw Creek opens

The pedestrian crossing over Haw Creek in Columbus — a project years in the making — has opened for walking, jogging or bicycling after a series of delays.

Barricades were removed late last week from the newly refurbished old Newbern Bridge almost five months after the historic structure was placed in position south of the 25th Street bridge.

A post-opening ribbon-cutting ceremony is expected to be scheduled in the next two to three weeks, Columbus Parks director Mark Jones said.

After three cranes hoisted the structure into place over Haw Creek on Sept. 7, local officials expressed optimism about an official opening six weeks later.

However, manufacturing problems involving a subcontractor hired to construct specialty railings resulted in long and unanticipated delays, Jones said.

For more on this story, see Wednesday’s Republic.