Partners to Celebrate Re-opening of River Road Bridge October 20

For Immediate Release: Monday, October 12, 2009

Hillsboro High Marching Band to Lead Parade

Washington County, the City of Hillsboro, the Hillsboro School District and Clean Water Services will celebrate the opening of the new River Road Bridge over Rock Creek in south Hillsboro on October 20, 2009, at 1:00 pm. The bridge will open to traffic at 5:00 pm. Commissioner Roy Rogers and Mayor Jerry Willey will be among the featured speakers. Sixth graders from Witch Hazel School will be on hand to hear their winning essay read on "How Bridges Build Communities". The Hillsboro High School Marching Band and Dance Team will add color and music to the celebratory parade.

The project began construction in January 2009. The total project cost is $11,500,000, including design, right-of-way and construction. The old bridge, built in 1967, was a five-span structure, 155 feet long by 26 feet wide. The new bridge is 28 feet longer and 27 feet wider than the old one and will provide a safer crossing for cars, trucks, busses, bicyclists and pedestrians. It was built higher to allow adequate drainage during flood events. It also meets current seismic (earthquake) standards. Decorative features rise at each end of the bridge, embossed with the Washington County seal and agricultural medallions – strawberries and grapes – as a nod to the agricultural bounty of the nearby land.

Washington County and Kerr Contractors express their gratitude to the neighbors for their patience and understanding during the six-month bridge closure and detour. They also thank the citizens of Hillsboro and county taxpayers for this wonderful project.

For more information about the River Road bridge project go to www.wc-roads.com. Washington County is committed to building and maintaining the best transportation system, ensuring the safety of all roadway users, and operating the county roadway system in a cost-effective and environmentally responsible manner.   

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