Originally planned to be completed in 2009, the reconstruction of the West Main Street Bridge has been delayed until 2010, leaving many students relieved of finding alternative routes to class during construction. The bridge was inspected Oct. 3 by the Bridge Design Department of the Franklin County engineer's office, and showed that there has been wear and tear on the exposed cables. Bridge Design engineer, Jim Pajk, blamed the bridge's poorly designed structure and weather conditions for the needed maintenance. Visible cables are used to strengthen the bridge, but Pajk explained that many more cables that cannot be seen support the bridge as well. "The bridge is safe," Pajk said, "but we would rather not wait." While there is a clear need for a new bridge and the engineers are ready to start, lack of funding has delayed the process. The money used to build a new bridge would come straight from Franklin County Engineer's funds, and that money isn't there. Applying for federal grants has been considered, but the money would take too long to acquire. The engineer's office is currently working on seven construction projects throughout the county. There are eight additional projects planned for the future and the Main Street bridge reconstruction is one of them. The design for a new bridge has already been created and once Franklin County Engineers have the resources, they will replace the current bridge. Current Otterbein seniors will not see changes during their remaining months, but come 2010, students with class in the Arts and Communication Building at 33 W. Collegeview, will have to find an alternate route to their classes during the reconstruction. Heather Weekley, a sophomore broadcasting major, is concerned with how long it will take her to get to her classes once the construction begins. "I hate being late," she said. Weekly makes the trip to Collegeview at least once a day, but "It's more like 10 times a week," she said. B.J. Wanninger, a senior life science major, either walks or rides his bike to get to his labs, also located on Collegeview Road. The thought of looping around, taking County Line Road, to Cleveland Avenue, to the building, doesn't sound appealing. "That would be such a far bike ride," Wanninger said. Wanninger is happy to graduate before the reconstruction, because of shared concerns by many art and communication majors.t&c;
Bridge reconstruction postponed
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