YANKTON, S.D. -- For 84 years, the Meridian Bridge carried motor vehicle traffic across the Missouri River.
It's now getting a well-deserved break before resuming the purpose for which it was built in 1924 -- allowing people to get from one side of the river to the other.
Only this time, all those on the bridge will be on foot or bicycle.
The historic double-decker bridge is scheduled to be reopened in late July or early August as a pedestrian bridge, a much-anticipated addition to the 30 miles of recreational trails in and around Yankton. Todd Larson, Yankton's director of parks and recreation, said his office fields numerous calls from folks waiting -- most of them patiently -- to find out when the bridge will be opened.
"I think everybody wants to get up on that top deck to get that view," Larson said.
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That wait has been a little longer than expected since the Meridian Bridge was closed in 2008 to give way to the Discovery Bridge, located half a mile to the west. Work on a $4.8 million project funded by South Dakota and Nebraska to remove rusty plates, beams and rivets from the Meridian Bridge has taken longer than expected. Work also includes adding safety fences and historic lighting.
Once completed, pedestrians will be able to walk, run or bike over both the upper and lower decks of the bridge, although the top deck generates the most interest. Larson said his office has received requests from couples who would like to have their weddings on the top deck. Whether those types of events will be allowed on the bridge has yet to be decided.
It's certain, though, that Yankton is counting on the Meridian Bridge's new life to be a hit.
"It creates something very unique to Yankton," Larson said. "It becomes a destination because it's rare."
The bridge will be a big addition to the area's extensive trail system. Yankton has 10 miles of trails within the city, and another 20 miles can be found in and around state recreation areas west of town. There are also some trails on the south side of the river.
Opening the Meridian Bridge will allow Yankton to someday hook into those trails on the Nebraska side.
"There's always been an effort in the recent past to connect campgrounds outside Yankton into the city," Larson said.
Trails in the Lewis and Clark Recreation Area west of Yankton do link to the city trails, giving campers trail access to Yankton stores and services. Plans are in the works to develop trails on the south side of the river that would stretch from the bridge to Gavins Point Dam to the west.
Eventually, city planners hope the trails can be linked to form a giant loop encircling Yankton, the recreation area and the dam. Loop trails seem to be more attractive to visitors, Larson said, rather than trails in which you can only go so far before turning around and retracing your steps.
Improving the city's trail system is part of the city's overall plan to make Yankton more attractive to new businesses and residents, Larson said.
"Trails and the creation of trails have become a big quality-of-life issue when they try to recruit businesses and the employees of those businesses," Larson said.
For now, efforts will continue to focus on the area in the immediate vicinity of the Meridian Bridge. After all, residents have been waiting for months now to take that walk over the bridge.
