A committee comprised of local and state officials is beginning to hash out the plans to mark the opening of the new Highway 47 bridge over the Missouri River.Tentatively, an early December date has been set for a ribbon cutting and then a watch party as the bridge is illuminated, according to Washington Mayor Sandy Lucy.Sometime in 2019, possibly in the spring, a third ceremony will be held when the old bridge is demolished.“We’re hoping to have a lot of fanfare,” Lucy said. “We are going to invite quite a few legislators and elected officials — we anticipate it to be a very big event.”Committee members met for the first time Monday. Washington City staff serving on the committee are Darren Lamb, city administrator; John Nilges, director of public services; and Sherri Klekamp, deputy city clerk.Also serving are Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) Area Engineer Judy Wagner and Community Relations Specialist Jessica Hochlan.Wagner noted that there will be limited time between holding bridge opening ceremonies and beginning to ready the current bridge for demolition.“The time period we will be allowed to have ceremonies on the bridge is very critical,” she stated.The bridge contractor, Alberici Constructors, will own the current bridge after the new structure is completed.The company likely won’t allow any type of celebration on the bridge for liability concerns. That includes an organized run or dinner on the bridge deck.Once the new bridge is opened, crews will work to remove salvageable pieces before the current bridge is imploded into the Missouri River.According to Lucy, the committee will determine logistics for the events planned around the bridge opening, and incorporate other organizations to assist with the activities.The group will meet monthly for now, but will meet more frequently as the bridge opening date nears.“There are a lot of logistics that have to be figured out,” she said.About the BridgeThe $63 million bridge is expected to be completed in mid-December.The project involves building a new 2,560-foot-long bridge just to the west — upstream — from the existing span, which was completed in 1936.The new structure is designed with two 12-foot driving lanes, two 10-foot shoulders and a 10-foot-wide biking/walking path along the west side. An overlook, where walkers and bikers can stop and view the river and cityscape, will be at the center bridge pier.The contractor, Alberici Constructors, began work in August 2016.Bridge UpdateWagner told the Washington Area Highway Transportation Committee Monday that there are 23 girders left to be set.She explained that the work should be completely above the bridge deck this month.“The uncertainties will be finished by the end of May,” she commented. “We will not be dependent on river elevation.”PresentationsTransportation committee member Bill Miller said there is interest by community members to view the bridge up close during construction, and learn about the engineering.He referenced a presentation by Kevin Kriete, bridge designer with HDR Engineering Inc., to local high school students.“The public, especially the elderly, would love to have that type of presentation,” he said.Wagner said that presentations near the bridge and off site are available by contacting her office at 314-453-5021.Lamb added that the Rotary Trail Days will be June 6 and he will talk with representatives of the organization to try to incorporate information about the bridge during the event.Bridge progressRecord photo