News release from the Allen County Commissioners:
Belle Vista Bridge Opened to Traffic
New 81-foot span crosses Fairfield Ditch(December 19, 2014) — Residents in the Belle Vista/Allendale neighborhood of Fort Wayne have received an early Christmas present — a new bridge designed and built with that area’s high water issues in mind.
Allen County Commissioners joined residents this morning to cut the ribbon officially opening the Belle Vista Boulevard Bridge across the Fairfield Ditch.
“You folks have been patiently waiting for this day, and now your patience has been rewarded with this wonderful new bridge,” Commissioner Linda Bloom told those who attended the ceremony.
Construction of the new 81-foot span by Primco, Inc., took seven months at an estimated cost of $760,000 — about $36,000 less than the engineer’s estimate.
As part of the project, the elevation of the new bridge was raised by three feet in order to avoid flooding concerns voiced by residents.
The bridge was built using 522 tons of asphalt, 55,000 pounds of steel, 490 cubic yards of concrete and 500 tons of stone. The project also features new storm sewers and a new six-inch water main.