Work begins on downtown Columbus riverfront project

Columbus city officials say that work is beginning on the riverfront improvement project between the Second and Third Street bridges downtown.

The project is meant to address safety concerns, reduce erosion and to connect the People Trail system through the area, completing the loop around the city. Part of the project will be to provide better access to rescue workers in the area and to remove the failing low-head dam.

The project has been substantially scaled back from previous versions which include the building of in-river recreation facilities.

Milestone Contractors is beginning work on the east bank which will include site clearing and erosion control. You can expect to see temporary fencing installed, trees being removed, materials delivered and surveying going on starting this week. The site will be cleared and excavation ongoing as crews prepared for the new trail connection.

The dam is expected to be removed next summer.

Photo: East Fork White River dam photo courtesy of columbus.in.gov