Walnut Street Bridge Renovation Project: Progress and Momentum!

The Walnut Street Bridge Renovation Project is moving forward with an incredible amount of momentum, and we have significant progress to report! If you've noticed the bridge recently, you've seen a substantial change. Thanks to the tireless work of our crews for the sandblasting, painting, and intricate steel and woodwork completed on Spans 5 and 6, the section connecting Coolidge Park to Frazier Avenue.

This span now proudly displays the vibrant new blue and white paint, with visible restored woodwork in progress. Crews are now working to Span 4 and prepping Span 3 heading south towards downtown and will immediately begin the sandblasting and painting process there. You will continue to see Southern Road and Bridge crews actively working in Coolidge Park, where ongoing wood and electrical work continues on the newly painted sections.

Major Upcoming Milestones

River Street one lane detour will start on Monday, November 3, and run through Tuesday, December 2. River Street will be temporarily reduced to one lane, managed by the same traffic signal setup used earlier this year. During this time, new boardwalk will be laid over River Street. The Riverstreet sidewalk will remain open.

By mid-November, contractors will relocate the sandblasting operation to the south side, staging along Riverfront Parkway under the Walnut Street Bridge. (Note, the lay down area under the WSB in Coolidge Park will remain for woodwork and electrical repair). Weather permitting, the intensive sandblasting and painting of spans one, two, and three will kick off from this new staging area in December.

Looking ahead into 2026, the electrical team expects to have all conduit installed on spans five through Frazier Avenue by the first of the year. Finally, the remaining wood installation, picking up from span six and extending to Frazier Avenue is estimated to be completed by the end of January 2026. Work on the wood installation will then begin towards the south half of the bridge towards downtown. 

Thank you for your patience and support as we work to preserve this iconic landmark for generations to come.