A decision made by the City Council in Avoca earlier this week, will make it for some of the City’s residents to get to a local park, which sits on the opposite side of a river. According to the Daily NonPareil, the Avoca City Council on Tuesday, approved a bid of just under $243, 850, for the construction of a pedestrian bridge that will connect East Thomas Street to Edgington Memorial Park by spanning the East Nishnabotna River. The project was originally estimated to cost $342,984. The City has not decided when construction will begin.

City Manager Clint Fichter told the paper the river made it difficult for pedestrians because it separates Edgington Memorial Park from the rest of town. The expected result is to provide a quicker route for those who live on the east side of Avoca.

The bridge will be 120 feet long and 12 feet wide, and will be made from steel and have a wooden deck. In 2012, the City of Avoca was awarded $171,492 from Regional Planning Area 18, for the project.The City  will spend $72,452 on the project, the funds from which will come through a TIF (Tax-Increment Financing)  funding.  Avoca also was awarded a $75,000 resource enhancement and protection grant from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources that will fund three connecting trails from the bridge to town.