Supension bridge in Mill Creek Park reopens Tuesday

Supension bridge in Mill Creek Park reopens Tuesday

YOUNGSTOWN — To some, it’s the silver or suspension bridge. The more romantic among us call it the Cinderella or Fairytale bridge.

Whatever you call it, one of the most recognizable features of Mill Creek Park will reopen this week after a summerlong rehabilitation project.

“It’s the oldest surviving bridge in the park,” said Steve Avery, the park’s chief landscape architect.

The 86-foot span on Valley Drive over Mill Creek was built in 1895 by the Youngstown Bridge Co.

A Federal Highway Administration grant paid 80 percent of the $523,000 project with park funds covering the remainder. Dot Construction Inc. of Canfield was the contractor.

“This is possibly the most extensive rehabilitation since it was built,” Avery said, adding that the rehab completed in the early 1930s also may have been major as well.

A rehab project also was completed in 1973.

In 1976, the bridge earned placement on the National Registry of Historic Places.

The park plans a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the reopening at 3 p.m. Tuesday.

For the complete story, see Sunday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.