Briar Creek Park bridge repair still weeks away

This bridge at Briar Creek Park remains closed after being damaged by flooding earlier this month. Repairs will begin in June.

Williamsburg officials hope to start repair or replacement work early next month on the Briar Creek Park bridge, which has been closed since flooding damaged it in late April and early May.

Initially, city officials received estimates ranging from $30,000 – $300,000 to either repair or replace the bridge.

Mayor Roddy Harrison said that it is now projected to cost $10,000 – $80,000 for the work, depending on what approach the city takes.

“The repair so far looks like it is cheapest opinion,” Harrison said late Friday afternoon.

So far, Harrison has received three estimates for the work and he is expecting a fourth estimate before he makes a final decision.

Harrison declined to give out any specific figures because he is still waiting on the fourth estimate.

He said the first two estimates are for replacement of the bridge, which are the largest estimates so far.

“Both of those bridges are a little bit more than I think we are going to be able to request,” Harrison said.

The third estimate is from a local resident and provides three different options to repair the existing bridge.

Those options range from fixing one side of the bridge to just get it open again to a permanent fix so water going under the bridge doesn’t back up again damaging it.

The fourth estimate, which has not been submitted yet, is for replacement of the existing bridge.
Harrison said that he took pictures and measured the bridge Friday.

Harrison said he has spoken with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet about possibly getting emergency road aid money to help pay for the repair.

He said the transportation cabinet secretary was honest with him and told him that the state may not be able to help at all, or may be able to provide some help.

“When I get back to the commissioner, I will send him my pictures, all the estimates, and the length and width of the bridge. Then they will look at it and contact me back about whether there are any emergency funds we can be awarded,” Harrison said. “Just as soon as I get an estimate from Frankfort, we will start one way or another.”