The Aurora City Council is set to vote on a contract to replace the pedestrian bridge over McCoy Drive on the city’s far East Side.
The bridge connects two sides of the Oakhurst subdivision, providing a safe crossing over the busy drive that cuts through that part of town. It is particularly necessary for children going to Reba Steck Elementary School, which is just on the east side of the bridge.
Aldermen meeting this week as a committee of the whole moved to the full City Council meeting a $334,950 contract with Misfits Construction Co., of Chicago, to replace the bridge this summer. Because it was placed on the consent agenda, it is likely to be approved.
The project is set to start in early June and finish in early August. City officials, including Ald. Patty Smith, 8th Ward, who lives in Oakhurst, said that is key because the bridge is used a lot to get kids to Reba Steck Elementary School.
The contractor is a new one for the city of Aurora. City officials said the company got glowing recommendations from area park districts that have used the company for similar pedestrian bridges.
The city bid four alternatives for the project – two of them to repair the current bridge, and two of them to replace it. Officials said full replacement bids came in about the same as repairing the current bridge, which is why staff chose a full replacement.
The pedestrian bridge is one of several the city inspects and maintains. It was during a routine inspection of the pedestrian bridge over McCoy that city officials noticed deterioration.
The bridge was built in 2003. Officials expect this new bridge to last longer because the city is using paint on it, instead of using a weatherizing, oxidizing method.
