Shown are members of the Syracuse Street Department who worked on constructing the pedestrian bridge on Harkless Drive. Construction was started in May and completed in mid-July.
From left are Paul Hoffman, street foreman; David Miller, Jeremy Sponseller, public works director; Zach Goodyear, Holly Swoverland, representing K-21 Foundation; Jared Hoover, Seth Hall, Ken Plikerd, John “Tiny” Reynolds and Town Manager Henry DeJulia.
A need to provide safe and direct access to town, in a north or south direction, via a pedestrian walkway led to a pedestrian bridge being installed on Harkless Drive in Syracuse. The bridge and walkway were the culmination of two years research and cost analysis/estimates to best fit the need.
The project was completed through a partnership between K-21 Foundation and the Town of Syracuse. A $30,000 matching grant, in conjunction with town funds and labor, was used to construct the bridge and free-standing wood walkway across the channel located on Harkless Drive. This connects the town’s sidewalk/trail system from the north part to the southern part of the system on Harkless Drive.
This resulted in the construction of a 40 foot galvanized bridge that was fabricated off site by Gravelton Machine Shop, Nappanee, and 150 feet of elevated walking path built on site, by the town, tying the bridge to the sidewalk. Public Works Director Jeremy Sponseller, Town Manager Henry DeJulia, Street Foreman Paul Hoffman, and the entire street department put forth the effort and talent to successfully complete this project.
This project endorses recreation activity including cycling, running, walking, environmental and historical education along with increased safety for the end users.