The scenic footbridge over the bayou along Hwy. 65 is going to soon get a facelift that will not only make the bridge usable and safe again, but will be made more attractive and scenic, according to Mayor Eddie Beckwith, Jr.
The Tallulah Beautification Commission made the cost-study of restoring the bridge and presented it to Mayor Beckwith for his consideration. He liked it so well he approved it as presented and ordered the materials the very next day. The materials are already delivered and re-construction will begin in a few days.
This reporter, as a member of the beautification commission, took a photo presentation to document the condition of the bridge, made an estimate of the lumber materials needed, and got a price quote for the materials.
“Just do it,” said Mayor Beckwith. “It’ll be a heckuva lot cheaper to restore the bridge than to be sued by somebody falling through the rotten or missing boards on the walkway.”
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News of Tallulah
Courtesy of the Madison Journal Jack Boggan On Line Editor |
By Jack Boggan
Madison Journal Contributer
The construction of the bridge will be done by detainees of the Madison Parish
Detention Center. The main structure of the bridge is of metal beams, pipes
and angle irons. All of the wooden components of the bridge will be replaced
with new treated lumber. The handrails and other features of the bridge will
be painted white, and new planter boxes with live plants and vines will hang
over the hand rails to give the bridge a more scenic appearance.
A close inspection of the wooden support beams that hold up the bridge and
are sunk into the water, reveal they will probably have to be replaced as
well. If so. the restoration of the foot bridge could be more complex than
originally anticipated and might take longer to rebuild.
Meanwhile, the mayor has ordered chains to be placed across the two ends of the existing bridge with warning signs to stay off.
This scenic footbridge across the bayout is about to be rebuilt and made even more scenic with a fresh coat of white paint and planter boxes hanging over the hand rails. All the wooden components will be replaced with new materials. The project is a product of the Tallulah Beautification Commission.
