Fundraising underway for Poland Forest bridge
An effort is underway to raise the $86,000 needed to renovate the pedestrian suspension bridge in Poland Village Municipal Forest.
POLAND, Ohio - An effort is underway to raise the $86,000 needed to renovate the pedestrian suspension bridge in Poland Village Municipal Forest.
The Poland Forest Foundation has unveiled a drawing of plans for the Mauthe bridge which was closed a year ago when engineering study deemed it unsafe for pedestrian traffic.
The bridge over Yellow Creek was built in 1956 and named after J.L. “Pete” Mauthe, president of Youngstown Sheet and Tube at the time, who donated the materials for its construction.
Since the bridge was closed, Poland Village Council and The Poland Municipal Forest Board have been gathering input from the community on ways to reopen the span.
Officials say the renovated bridge, designed by MS Consultants, retains the suspension construction while addressing all of the safety concerns.
The Poland Forest Foundation has launched a fundraising campaign for the $86,000 cost of the restoration, and the Village hopes to have the projected completed by this Fall.
Donations can be sent to The Poland Forest Foundation, c/o The Village of Poland, 308 S. Main Street, Poland, OH 44514, or through the project GoFundMe Page.
For interviews, contact Forest Foundation Board Members Anthony Traficanti (330) 507-8478, Tim Francisco (330) 402-1769, or Charles Rumberg (330)550-5693.
