St. Charles assessing options for Indiana Street pedestrian bridge repair

The city of St. Charles is taking steps to possibly repair the Indiana Street pedestrian bridge, also known as the Piano Factory Bridge, which is in poor condition and does not meet modern code standards.

The pedestrian bridge was constructed in 1904 to provide a route across the Fox River for Cable Piano Factory employees. Since the factory was demolished in 2000, the bridge has been used as a bike and pedestrian path connection.

A 2013 inspection found the bridge to be in overall poor condition because of deterioration. In its condition, the bridge does not meet modern load rating requirements and the seven-foot width does not meet modern standards for a mixed-use path.

The bridge is inspected annually to ensure it can safety remain open to foot traffic, but because of its condition, the bridge is closed during all major city events to avoid overloading.

The city is exploring options for repairing the bridge, including hiring an engineering firm to begin assessing the possibilities of reconstruction.

At the Aug. 26 Government Services Committee meeting, members recommended approval of a contract with TranSystems Corporation to conduct the first two construction engineering phases of the bridge for $391,881. The contract is expected to go before the City Council for possible approval at the Sept. 3 meeting.

The engineering study would analyze four potential options for the bridge:

• Do nothing

• Repair and restore the existing structure

• Partial restoration incorporating original structural elements

• Replace the bridge completely

According to the contract, TranSystems would do an in-depth evaluation of the structure, looking into each of the four options, and present recommendations to the city for consideration. The options will be reviewed by engineering staff, historic preservation groups and citizens at public meetings.

City engineers told committee members that the first phases of engineering work are expected to take up to two years and the entire process could take up to four years.

If the contract is approved, TranSystems is expected to begin all necessary coordination with regulatory agencies and assist in applying for any available grant funding for construction.

At the Aug. 26 meeting, multiple committee members expressed that they would prefer the bridge be repaired and restored rather than replaced.