042026...R BRIDGE 1...Warren...04-20-26....Diamond Steel Construction Co. of N. Lima was in the process of removing the pedestrian bridge crossing the Mahoning River at Packard Park Monday...by R. Michael Semple

WARREN — Drivers and pedestrians along West Market Street may notice construction activity picking up near the Mahoning River where a fence now surrounds the lot between Thumm’s Bike & Clock Shop and The Greater Warren-Youngstown Urban League.

Work is underway on the Perkins Park pedestrian bridge, the first visible phase of the city’s larger Peninsula project. The bridge will eventually link Perkins Park and the Warren Community Amphitheatre to the planned mixed-use development on the peninsula.

In January, Warren City Council unanimously approved entering into contract negotiations for the $2.4 million bridge. The structure is funded entirely through a $4.3 million Appalachian Community Grant from the Ohio Department of Development through the Governor’s Office of Appalachia, meaning no direct cost to the city. Remaining grant funds will be used for shoreline improvements and safety lighting.

Jim Murray, Appalachian Community Grant Program coordinator, said the anticipated completion date for substantial completion is Sept. 30 with possible minor punch list work extending into October.

Work visible from the street includes placement of foundations that provide bearing for the bridge structure. Crews are installing foundations that will support the bridge, which will feature a black metal truss and a decorative railing with built-in LED lights. It will be constructed using steel, reinforced concrete and pre-stressed concrete box beams.

A single-span truss design was selected to avoid intermediate piers in the river’s flood plain while accommodating elevation differences and pedestrian accessibility. Murray said that the design helps the structure withstand Ohio’s environmental challenges.

The overall Peninsula project is estimated at approximately $160 million, with city officials envisioning a new neighborhood development surrounded by the Mahoning River with restaurants, apartments, condos and a hotel. It is expected to take five to seven years to complete.

West Market Street eventually will be reduced to two lanes to accommodate the development.

The pedestrian bridge serves as the initial infrastructure component, with grant requirements calling for the bridge funds to be spent this year. Construction on the bridge itself is expected to ramp up in the coming months, including placement of the prefabricated trusses across the river by crane.

Work also is ongoing at Packard Park in Warren.

Warren Mayor Doug Franklin said crews this week removed a pedestrian bridge crossing the Mahoning River, and a new bridge will connect Packard, Bullhead and Burbank parks.

Franklin said both bridge projects will have benefits to the quality of life of citizens while the downtown bridge will connect patrons of local businesses to the park.

City officials said a new bridge will be finished by year’s end.