By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Choosing to have the new walking and fishing bridge installed professionally, instead of in-house, not only saved the City of Great Bend time but it also means the bridge is ready for use at Veterans Lake. In March, the Great Bend City Council approved the $158,555 purchase of a 230' bridge installed by EZ Docks.
Public Lands Director Scott Keeler said the railing on the
new bridge makes it easier for fishermen.
"The rails are a different system," said Keeler. "They have knock-downs that lower down to about two feet tall. Younger fishermen or someone in a wheelchair has better access to get a fish in or out after they do catch one."
The new bridge also includes a section that is wider to allow fishermen to sit
down without blocking traffic walking across.
The bridge replaces the old wooden bridge that was installed around 2000 and
was starting to deteriorate. Great Bend has Federal Emergency Management Agency
reimbursement money from previous flooding and wind storms. Along with FEMA and
State of Kansas reimbursement funds, the city’s 15% of the project is
$23,783.
