Coal Creek Springs is Auburn’s largest water source, with a 24-inch water main under the White River that carries water from the springs to the city’s treatment and storage facilities on the north side of the Green River.

But at a respectable 100 years old, the main under the White River near Game Farm and Game Farm Wilderness parks has reached the end of its days, and could fail.

So, the city has built a new utility bridge across the White River, with a pedestrian walkway on top, and attached a new water main under the walkway. It has likewise extended the existing paved trail systems in Game Farm and Game Farm Wilderness Park to connect to the bridge, which will provide for future utility connections across the White River.

“This connection of the two parks as well as the water line is such an awesome project, great cooperation between departments,” said Auburn Parks, Arts and Recreation Director Daryl Faber.

The city will celebrate the opening of the Game Farm Wilderness Park pedestrian bridge with a ribbon cutting on Tuesday, Oct. 1.

According to the city, careful planning has designed this project to minimize impacts to the river and shoreline by planting new trees and native vegetation in affected areas. The city will also plant large trees alongside the river for fish habitat.

Numerous alternatives were considered, among them: drilling underneath the river; digging a trench through the river bottom; and lining the existing pipe. The city, however, considered the bridge the most viable option and coordinated with numerous government agencies to minimize environmental impacts.

Funding for the $5,315,176 project draws from the city’s parks fund, its water fund and a loan from the state’s Drinking Water Revolving Fund.