You may not see it, but there’s progress on repairs to the pedestrian bridge across the Tombigbee River.
Greenville-based Malouf Construction is leading a $4.1 million project to replace a damaged pier at the historic bridge, which has been closed for four years and counting. So far, most of the work has been underwater.
But what’s happening at the construction site? How will it be rebuilt? When will it be reopened?
How was the pier damaged?
First things first. How did we get here?
A tow boat owned by Cooper Marine and Timberlands, based in Mobile, Alabama, was pushing eight barges south on the Tenn-Tom Waterway on Feb. 6, 2020, when the boat and its loaded barges grounded near the channel opening to the Old Tombigbee River near Columbus. A boat owned by Max Marine came to aid the grounded vessel and, in the process, a loaded barge broke loose, drifted down the channel and struck the pedestrian bridge’s eastern support pier.
The city sued both companies in March 2021 and accepted a $4.2 million settlement in February 2023.
Malouf arrived to start repairs last fall.
What is happening now and what happens next?
Before Malouf can fix the bridge, it must build a support structure to accommodate the work.
City Engineer Kevin Stafford said Malouf has nearly finished an underwater foundation that will hold the structure.
Concrete pilings have been placed underwater on both sides of the bridge. Once footings are added, the foundation will essentially act as pedestals to hold up a temporary truss – two vertical metal beams connected by a horizontal beam. A lifting mechanism will attach to the cross beam of the truss that will lift the bridge above the damaged pier and hold it in place.
From there, Stafford said, workers will remove the damaged pier, then build what he described as a “bridge underneath the water” between the pedestals to brace the new pier. Once the new pier is built and placed, the bridge will be lowered onto the new pier.
Built in 1927, the pedestrian bridge, accessible from Riverside Park, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Stafford said the new pier will look identical to the other two.
When will the bridge reopen?
Stafford said progress should be visible above water in the coming weeks, with the bridge lifted from the piers likely some time in March.
The schedule for project completion is early June, he said.
Editor’s note: Do you want answers to questions about the Golden Triangle? Each week, Dispatch reporters set out to explain or update a timely, practical issue. Email your question to [email protected].
Zack Plair is the managing editor for The Dispatch.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 46 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
