Work underway to replace pedestrian bridge connecting Riverscape, Deeds Point MetroParks

DAYTON — Work crews hope to have a new pedestrian bridge over the Mad River completed by late spring, replacing the bridge that connected two Five Rivers MetroParks in Dayton.

>>PHOTOS: Work underway on new pedestrian bridge in downtown Dayton

Work started in March to replace the bridge connecting the Riverscape and Deeds Point MetroParks, that had been closed since 2020 due to corrosion issues. The steel used to build the original bridge was found after it was built that it corroded faster that expected when exposed to water, MetroParks officials told News Center 7.

But the bridge’s location to the Five Rivers Fountains expediated the corrosion and brought about a need for a new bridge.

The project, a combined effort between the City of Dayton, Five Rivers MetroParks, the Miami Conservancy District and others secured around $2.8 million for the new bridge and work started this spring.

All three spans of the bridge are already up and organizers hope the project is completed before summer.

Since its original built the bridge has been used heavily by walkers, joggers, and bikers. And new downtown and riverfront housing means continued high volume on the new bridge once its completed.

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PHOTOS: Work underway to replace pedestrian bridge in Dayton A new pedestrian bridge linking two MetroParks in downtown Dayton is in the works with the project expected to be wrapped up by late spring 2021. (Staff Photos/Mike Campbell, Chuck Hamlin)

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