of Rooney and Pantzlaff ’ s careers but also the most rewarding . Rooney was delighted with the completed bridge that opened in November 2022 and with how the construction was accomplished .
“ I heard nothing but good things about the project . Communication was great . We had bi-weekly meetings . For a project with so many challenges , we did not meet once physically due to COVID-19 concerns , so everything was virtual and went fine . I think that was a testimony to the project manager and engineer . We had the right team with Ayres . We knew what we started with . We knew what we were getting into , and we knew what we were going to finish with . And we finished it right ,” Rooney said .
“ Everyone involved really knew their stuff . That ’ s part of what you ’ re looking for when hiring for a project like this . They have to be able to roll with the punches , and Ayres ' team was able to do that . We were fortunate to have a project manager with experience and who understood the major issues with the bridge ,” Rooney reflected .
With the bridge complete , Rooney described his own plans : “ I ’ m excited to see everything in the future , especially once winter is over . I will ride my bike with my wife along the river on the new off-street path underneath the new bridge , and we will go view the foliage . I think it will be pretty with the spring and fall coming up .”
The City plans to add interpretive panels that include QR codes to convey historical information . Travelers passing by will be able to pull off to the side to use their phones to find out more about Charles S . Whitney , Jens Jensen , and the indigenous people who used to populate the area . Rooney envisions residents being able to safely enjoy the bridge and learn more about the history of the City . In the future , it will be a way to pay homage to the past while also connecting it to the present .
Pantzlaff has one final wish for the completed bridge : “ My hope is that Charles Whitney is looking down on all of us and saying : ‘ You nailed it !’ ” www . AyresAssociates . com 9