Its price tag has soared to $60 million and taxpayers helped pay for it.
The new Main Street Bridge, which is expected to open on Friday after being closed for eight years, has cost nearly three times what was originally planned, 10TV's Kevin Landers reported on Monday.
The bridge was supposed to built for nearly $20 million, but a variety of issues forced the city to spend millions more.
SPECIAL SECTION: Traffic
Everything from paying more for the steel used to build it, to unforeseen design problems, forced the price tag to jump, city officials said.
The bridge with a unique arch, and expansive pedestrian deck, came in millions over budget and Columbus taxpayers will cover $15 million of the cost, Landers reported.
The city hopes the bridge will be a magnet to pull developers into the Franklinton area.
Currently the road leading from the bridge takes drivers past a government housing project and abandoned warehouses, but community leaders said that will change.
"These are going to be redeveloped in large part because of that bridge," said Franklinton Development Association member Jim Sweeney.
Sweeney said the housing project is slated to be demolished along with the warehouses. The goal is to build affordable housing with waterfront views.
"This is a great place to build a new neighborhood and that's what we're going to do," Sweeney said.
As construction wraps up on the Main Street Bridge, the new Rich Street Bridge will be the third bridge to cross the Scioto River, in addition to the Broad Street Bridge.
The Ohio Department of Transportation is also replacing the Rich Street Bridge. Its $32 million price tag includes $9 million from the city.
That money comes from the city's capital improvement budget, not the general fund.
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March 10, 2010:
Construction Begins On New Rich Street Bridge
