City Commission to restore or replace Oak Street Bridge

The city of Mount Pleasant put plans to restore or replace the Oak Street Bridge on hold at Monday’s City Commission meeting.

The bridge, located between City Hall, 302 W. Broadway St., and Island Park, is believed to have been built around 1890. The debate over what to do with the bridge began in a City Commission work session in February.

Duane Ellis, the director of public works, said he had spoken with several potential bidders during the process and was surprised only one company submitted a bid to replace the bridge.

“I was pretty surprised when we didn’t get any bids,” he said.

Because of concerns from several members, the Commission unanimously voted to receive more information before making a final decision.

The commission also discussed other options, which include subcontracting different parts of the project such as steel work and painting to different contractors. The bridge has lead-based paint on it which could cause problems and make the project more expensive, Ellis said.

Vice Mayor Bruce Kilmer said factors including the age, size and condition of the bridge make him unsure the bridge can be refurbished.

“”It’s not even clear in my mind that it can be restored,” Kilmer said.

Commissioner Kathleen Ling said she wants to see the bridge restored, and said she needed more information before deciding.

“I’d also like to have a better idea,” she said.

Commissioner Sharon Tilmann said she also needed more information.

If the city decides to purchase a new bridge, the work will not be too time-consuming, Ellis said.

“The actual work won’t be too difficult,” he said.

Mayor Jim Holton said his personal decision would depend on the cost of all options, especially because the work will come from taxpayer money.

Commissioner Jeffrey Palmer said he also had questions about the proposals.

“I, too, have questions about whether we can rehabilitate (the bridge) and suit our needs,” he said.

The city began its work on the Oak Street Bridge in March by authorizing a feasibility study for rehabilitating the bridge without changing its historical significance. On April 21, the bridge was closed after a structural engineer deemed it potentially unsafe.

The commission authorized temporary repairs to the bridge in May and reopened the bridge in the second week of May.

In August, the city requested bids for both the rehabilitation and the removal and placement of a new bridge.

The city has permits for both options, Ellis said.

The City Commission will receive more materials including cost estimates and will revisit the issue at its next meeting on Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.