Mills Creek bridge is higher and wider
Old span destroyed by flood; new one is a $205k project
SANDUSKY — A new bridge near the 5th hole at Mills Creek Golf Course nearing completion is a higher structure designed to withstand future flood events. It’s also wider to allow access for maintenance vehicles that previously could not use the crossing.
The bridge features reinforced concrete abutments, a steel structure with cross-bracing, and timber decking with timber rails and bumpers. At more than a foot higher than the previous bridge, it will allow higher creek flows to pass underneath without threatening the structure.
The replacement project follows flood damage in late August 2023, when high waters carried a tree downstream that destroyed the original Hole #5 bridge. Golfers were forced to use the nearby Hole #6 bridge, creating inconvenience and potential safety concerns.
City commission approved the project in May after a competitive bidding process, awarding the $205,470 contract to Sandusky-based Feick Contractors Inc. The work is being funded through the city’s Capital Projects Funds. The design also eliminates the need to replace the Hole #6 bridge if similar damage occurs in the future, reducing the number of bridges the city must maintain in the floodplain.
City officials say the bridge’s design allows for small maintenance vehicles, providing greater flexibility for course upkeep and ensuring the bridge can safely accommodate routine maintenance tasks that were previously impossible.
Construction is expected to be completed within [insert timeframe if known], restoring full access to the golf course and enhancing resilience against future flooding.