Staff photo / R. Michael Semple A team of construction workers from A.P. O’Horo Company, ironworkers from Leetonia Steel Erectors and a crane from Diamond Steel Construction Co. gently lower a section of the Perkins Park pedestrian bridge into place Wednesday afternoon along the banks of the Mahoning River. A.P. O’Horo is the general contractor.

WARREN — Work continues on the Perkins Park pedestrian bridge, where workers on Wednesday were seen lowering sections into place.

The pedestrian bridge is the first visible phase of Warren’s Peninsula project and 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 Regional Commission grant from the Ohio Department of Development through the Governor’s Office of Appalachia. Remaining grant funds will be used for shoreline improvements along the Mahoning River and safety lighting.

Jim Murray, ARC grant coordinator, said previously the anticipated completion date for substantial completion is Sept. 30, with possible minor punch list work extending into October.

In April, crews installed 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 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.