I went and saw the new canal bridge plans this afternoon. The new bridge should
be put in place just west of the telephone pole bridge early next year, and the
old bridge will be taken out at that time. Officially the project is called the “North Bank Trail Pedestrian Bridge Replacement”, and what its really about is a new bridge that will cross the historic Kanawha Canal near the Lee Bridge and enable pedestrians to make their way to the James River Park. The flat bridge will be placed so that it can be raised easily later to accommodate canal development and possibly the return of canal boats. The money for this is coming from greenway grants that the neighborhood association previously applied for and won. Anyone can go see the plans for themselves which are in the City’s Parks & Rec office at 808 W. Main (in the Landmark Theater building).