Walnut St. Bridge Repair Updates

The Walnut Street Bridge officially reopened to the public on October 3rd, 2026 following an extensive 18-month renovation. The comprehensive preservation project revitalized the 1891 landmark from top to bottom, featuring major structural steel repairs, a fresh coat of its iconic paint, upgraded energy, efficient lighting, and a durable new deck of Alaskan yellow cedar. While crews wrap up minor punch-list adjustments and final touches, our beloved historic bridge is once again reconnecting Downtown and the Northshore, proud to safely welcome pedestrians, runners, and cyclists for generations to come.

We continue to make significant strides towards our fall 2026 reopening! Here is the latest.

The heavy containment tarps near the South Shore towards downtown (Span 1) have been removed. This means ALL 6 spans have been sandblasted, primed and painted. What a transformation! This also marks the end of large-scale containment on the bridge. While some minor touch-up painting remains, clearing these tarps is a visual signal that the most intensive painting phases are behind us. But we still have work to do.

We are replacing the bridge's decking with durable Alaskan yellow cedar. The progress on the deck is currently:

• Completed: 1,203 linear feet (including Coolidge Park, Span 6, and most of Span 5).
• Remaining: 1,166 linear feet (Spans 1 through 4).

A better way to think about it: over half of the bridge has new decking.

Structural repairs continue a step ahead of decking, providing a solid foundation for the new wood.

With the new wood in place, our electrical teams are already securing conduits and utilities. We are moving quickly toward pulling wire and installing the new light poles.

Still on schedule?
Yes. At this time, we remain on track to reopen in late September 2026.

We've come a long way since our cherished bridge closed, and now summer and the home stretch are upon us. Despite the fact that this year's Iron Man course did not incorporate the Walnut Street Bridge, many competitors and event fans expressed their excitement for the opening.

This month, we're still getting rid of the old wood in spans 1 and 2 and replacing the sidewalk and decking. Additionally, we are on track to remove laydown sites, work platforms, and prep park grounds for repairs and landscaping. Benches, flower pots, and signage will soon be replaced, and the bridge will begin to resemble her magnificent self. We appreciate all of your patience, support, retweets, and reposts. The countdown has begun!