Richland County Council approves Riverbanks Zoo pedestrian bridge project
September 10, 2015
A project to be funded under the Richland Penny Program
RICHLAND COUNTY, SC – Richland County Council approved funding for a pedestrian bridge at Riverbanks Zoo during its regular session council meeting Tuesday. The vote passed 9-2. Construction of the bridge is estimated at $2.7 million and will be funded by the Richland Penny Program.
This project is broken up into two phases within the County Transportation Improvement Program. The first phase will construct the new pedestrian bridge. The bridge will safely move zoo visitors from the parking lots into the new zoo entrance. Currently patrons must cross an active, at-grade railroad crossing.
“This project falls under the Special Projects category of the Richland Penny Program and we are excited to be able to fund a project that will provide a safer alternative for visitors to Riverbanks Zoo,” said Rob Perry, Richland County transportation director.
Council’s approval of funding the project allows for construction to begin this fall. It is expected to be completed prior to the summer of 2016. Preliminary design studies for phase two of the project is set to begin in 2017.
