New Packard foot bridge connects two Warren parks

WARREN — Gary Angstadt said taking his dog Tanner for walks on Bullhead Riverwalk Trail off Tod Avenue NW just got a lot nicer now that the Packard Park Pedestrian Bridge over the Mahoning River has been reopened. The former bridge closed in 2017 after an inspection by the engineering company MS Consultants revealed corrosion that opened up holes in the steel support beams. The decision was made to close the bridge and replace it rather than repair the old bridge, which went into service in the early 1980s. The new, 279-foot, $1.5 million bridge installed by the Shook Co. is now open, a fact that makes Angstadt very happy because it makes it easier for him to walk Tanner on the Bullhead Riverwalk Trail, which was built in 2013. If people are not familiar with Bullhead Riverwalk Trail and Bullhead Park, it may be because when the Packard Park Bridge closed, it eliminated one key way to get to Bullhead Park. A dedication ceremony is planned at 11 a.m. Wednesday. “I’m super happy it’s b