Bridge over Pond Run one of last links in Parkersburg Ohio River Trail
Kyle Reeves, left, and Tracy Coy of Alan Stone Construction work on building 3-by-6-foot Gabion baskets that are being used in the construction of a bridge over Pond Run along the Ohio River in Parkersburg. Once completed, the paved walking path at Point Park will be extended to three miles, reaching the northern end of the Parkersburg riverfront. (Photo by Art Smith)
Kyle Reeves, left, and Tracy Coy of Alan Stone Construction work on building 3-by-6-foot Gabion baskets that are being used in the construction of a bridge over Pond Run along the Ohio River in Parkersburg. Once completed, the paved walking path at Point Park will be extended to three miles, reaching the northern end of the Parkersburg riverfront. (Photo by Art Smith)
Kyle Reeves, left, and Tracy Coy of Alan Stone Construction work on building 3-by-6-foot Gabion baskets that are being used in the construction of a bridge over Pond Run along the Ohio River in Parkersburg. Once completed, the paved walking path at Point Park will be extended to three miles, reaching the northern end of the Parkersburg riverfront. (Photo by Art Smith)
Kyle Reeves, left, and Tracy Coy of Alan Stone Construction work on building 3-by-6-foot Gabion baskets that are being used in the construction of a bridge over Pond Run along the Ohio River in Parkersburg. Once completed, the paved walking path at Point Park will be extended to three miles, reaching the northern end of the Parkersburg riverfront. (Photo by Art Smith)
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PARKERSBURG -- The long-in-development Parkersburg Ohio River Trail is nearing completion.
Contractor Alan Stone Construction is building a 44-foot concrete bridge to carry cyclists and pedestrians across Pond Run on the river side of Parkersburg's floodwall.
The existing section of trail between Pond Run and Point Park and a 2.6-mile extension up to the city limits near Grand Central Mall will create a 3-mile trail, Parkersburg Development Director Ryan Barber said.
"Tourists and residents alike that are coming to downtown Parkersburg, Point Park and the amphitheater will now have a beautiful trail overlooking the Ohio River," he said.
The bridge and extension are part of a $1,536,646 project, for which the city is providing a $307,329 local share to leverage federal funds, Barber said.
Construction is projected to be finished by Sept. 30, although that could change based on weather, he said.
Barber noted the project has spanned multiple administrations, with city officials working with private property owners to obtain easements and state and federal authorities to coordinate the work and potential environmental impacts.
"I am pleased to see this project coming to completion," Mayor Tom Joyce said. "It will make a nice addition to the recreation infrastructure of Parkersburg."
Joyce added that he, Police Chief Matthew Board and Public Works Director Everett Shears have been making plans for maintenance, upkeep and safety measures for the trail.
Mark Lewis, president and CEO of the Greater Parkersburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, said he and his board are excited for the trail to open this fall.
The bureau moved into its new Visitors Welcome Center just outside Point Park last year. One of their goals has been to recruit a bike and/or kayak rental operation to that facility.
"Having a trail that is a 6-mile round trip makes that bike operation significantly more desirable," Lewis said.
Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.