COLUMBUS, Ind. – The City of Columbus has announced that the construction on the “Our River… Our Riverfront” project has commenced. The riverfront strategy aims to address several safety concerns, including the removal of the failing low-head dam, the provision of a safe pedestrian connection, and the removal of barriers to emergency personnel access along the river. The plan also serves to repair and prevent further bank erosion.
This project is also intended to enhance the quality of life for Columbus residents while attracting new visitors to the area. The “Our River…Our Riverfront” program has seen several iterations in its design over the last few decades, with the most recent redesign contributing to major scope modifications to remove the in-river recreation component.
Milestone Contractors, L.P., was selected as the contractor for the east bank bid set, which includes the trail connection. Milestone starts staging and mobilizing on October 1. They will begin site clearing and initial erosion control measures. As part of this, the city anticipates seeing temporary fencing, tree removal, material delivery, and surveying/ layout staking activities between the Second and Third Street Bridges.
Site clearing initiative and prep will continue in 2025, along with excavation and sheet piling efforts to prepare for the trail’s retaining walls. The project construction timeline will extend through 2026, with the anticipated dam removal next summer.
When finished, residents will have a reimagined Riverfront featuring a completed trail connection to the 1821 Trail and Mill Race Park, accessible overlooks and gathering spaces, and the removal of the existing, dangerous low-head dam. There will also be a series of improvements along the Second Street Corridor, including the Second Street Thoroughfare project, which narrows the traffic lanes as a traffic calming measure, adds bump-outs and pedestrian crossings, and incorporates on-street parking for a more pedestrian-friendly experience.
Additionally, officials hope to see revitalization of the Downtown Entrance Plaza concurrently with the Riverfront project, followed by INDOT resurfacing the road along the Second Street Corridor.
The final element to these improvements will include the combined venture between INDOT and the City to repaint the Robert N. Stewart Bridge, completing the transformation of this critical gateway to Downtown Columbus.
