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Kinzua bids
By JOELLEN CHESNUT
Era Reporter
joellen@bradfordera.com
Four bids have been received for the work on the park development and the bridge towers rehabilitation at Kinzua Bridge State Park.
The bid deadline was 2 p.m. Thursday, and the apparent low bids for the first stage of work at Kinzua Bridge State Park were listed on the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Web site as: Quality Engineering Solution, $4,452,681; L C Whitford Company, $5,282, 957, Francis J. Palo Inc., $5,328, 219 and W M Brode $5,958,056.00.
“We are currently reviewing bids. From the time of the bid opening, it takes six to eight weeks before we award a contract,” explained Gene Comoss, DCNR Director of Facility Design and Construction.
The first stage of work at the park includes shoring up the remaining bridge towers and the construction of a skywalk over those towers, complete with a glass floor.
“The towers are going to be stabilized, and there is going to be a new overlook constructed on the end of the towers. It will be an octagon shape and have a partially-glassed floor,” Linda Devlin, Allegheny National Forest Vacation Bureau Executive Director, told The Era in December.
Comoss explained work would begin with the foundations of the remaining towers to make sure they are structurally sound. Then work will continue up the towers, replacing connections and various other parts to make sure the entire support structure is stable. Then work will begin on constructing the deck over the towers.
According to Comoss, once the contract is awarded to the lowest bidding contractor, work could start by March or April.
“We are thinking that, unless some peculiar problem comes up that we are unaware of, we can easily meet a March or April start,” Comoss said.
Once work begins, Comoss noted visitors may have access to parts of the park, but not to the main attraction.
“Getting relatively close to the towers will be impossible while the contractor is working,” Comoss observed. “Also, the contractor will be using part of the parking lot for a staging area for his work.
“I don’t think the entire park will be closed, but certain parts will be.”
The park will also be getting a new visitors’ center and offices for the staff for both Kinzua Bridge State Park and Bendigo State Park.
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