A ribbon-cutting celebration was held Oct. 1 for a new pedestrian/utility bridge at Game Farm Park in Auburn.

The bridge crosses the White River and links Game Farm Park to Game Farm Wilderness Park. It is located at the northeast corner of the park near the end of the parking lot.

The bridge houses a new transmission main pipe for the city’s potable water, about half of which comes from the nearby Coal Creek Springs. This pipe, originally built in the 1920s and partially replaced in the 1960s, required urgent replacement of 870 feet under the river, according to the city. After exploring multiple alternatives, the city opted to install a bridge for the new transmission main.

“It would have been extremely difficult or next to impossible to repair it if it were to break,” said Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus about the aging pipe. “The bridge … also presented a great opportunity to connect these two very, very popular city parks and extend the existing paved trail system.”

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.

Right, the new bridge is at the northeast corner of Game Farm Park, near the end of the parking lot.

Left, Todd Weston and his dog, Sam, enjoy the ribbon cutting ceremony Oct. 1 at Game Farm Park.

Auburn city officials and parks staff lead a ribbon cutting Oct. 1 at Game Farm Park. Photos by Andy Hobbs/Auburn Reporter