BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Crews are gearing up to swap the old pedestrian bridge at Buffalo's Ralph Wilson Park for a brand new one.
Members of the Ralph Wilson Construction Team explained how this entire installation would happen.
A portion of the I-190 between Exit 8 and Exit 9 will be closed in both directions starting Saturday at 9 p.m. until 10 a.m. Sunday to make the construction project possible.
"We will be shutting down the highway, and getting ready to start our operations," said project manager Sean Najewski. "The gantry cranes will lift the bridge up above the abutments, travel laterally, and get the bridge into position. After that, the bridge will be lowered down onto its bearings bolted into place and we will be done."
Officials are asking people to stay away from the construction zone on Saturday night. In addition to the section of the Niagara Thruway being shut down, parks on both sides of the highway will also be closed to the public. Detour signs will be posted in the neighborhood to direct traffic.
The 266-foot pedestrian bridge was constructed in Italy and was shipped across the Atlantic and the Erie Canal, completing its journey to Buffalo in July.
Watch below as the first barge carrying pieces of the park's signature pedestrian bridge arrived on the shore of Ralph Wilson Park.
Neighbors said they're excited for the new addition.
"It should attract more people," said John Weber. "I mean, the park was way underused previously."
Below you can watch as crews started moving the new pedestrian bridge.
