Yankton city officials have received preliminary word from the South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) that the bridge has no major structural problems.

"The good news is, they didn't report any major, show-stopping flaws in the existing bridge," Mayor Curt Bernard said during a recent media briefing.

The DOT initiated a study of the Meridian Bridge last fall to determine what repairs will be needed during the course of converting it into a pedestrian/bike trail. The results of that investigation were scheduled for completion at the end of January, but Yankton Public Works Director Kevin Kuhl said a 30-60-day extension was needed to complete the analysis.

"They came back saying there are places below the lower deck where half-inch pieces of steel are whittled down to a quarter-inch in certain places," Bernard said. "They're going to weld over the top of that, or bolt another piece over the top."

Similarly, the upper deck is in good condition, too, he said. The only problems arise where there are breaks between the concrete, Bernard said.

"Salt and water mixtures leak through there and rust what is underneath," he added. "They think they can go through and make repairs and patches."

The finished analysis will also include cost estimates for repairing the Meridian Bridge, as well as making necessary changes like adding hand rails. The DOT has set aside $1.2 million for converting the existing structure once the new bridge is complete.

Kuhl said Monday another important aspect of the Meridian Bridge's future was affirmed by the study.

"They reassured us that the bridge is adequate to carry traffic while the new bridge is under construction," he said.

There had been concerns that load limits would be required for the Meridian Bridge due to structural problems.

Yankton's new bridge is scheduled to be bid out in December of this year, and a December 2008 finish date is anticipated for the project.

Those dates are approaching faster than many think, Kuhl said. He noted that he has been working with the Building Yankton's Bridge Committee, Yankton business owners, the DOT, Cedar County, the Nebraska Department of Roads and local landowners on planning for the four distinct areas of the overall bridge project where cooperation and coordination will be necessary for success.

Those four areas are the new Missouri River bridge, the Meridian Bridge, the two Nebraska bridge approach zones and the two South Dakota bridge approach zones. Each area is crucial, Kuhl said.

"The time is fast coming when we have to pull all of these different things together, have a well-orchestrated schedule and project completion dates," he said. "If we forget to do one of the approach zones, or we don't get enough right-of-way, nothing is going to work right. We're hoping, in the months ahead, to pull all these projects together and make sure we have a timeline that works with all of the different agencies and components."

As an example, Bernard said he hopes bid acceptance for work on the Meridian Bridge is complete once the new bridge is finished.

"That will allow for the opportunity of some of the contractors on the new bridge to roll over into the old bridge, which might save us some money," he said. "The other thing is, we don't want to lose any time."

In recent months, a proposal to house a major American Rivers Lewis and Clark exhibit in a museum on the top deck of the converted Meridian Bridge has only accentuated the need for proper planning.

In order to lay out the various components that need to be considered as planning commences, Kuhl said he has been working with Building Yankton's Bridge Committee on a report to be presented to the Yankton City Commission March 13.

"There's a lot of complicated factors that need to be addressed," he said.

In the end, Bernard said he believes all the hard work will pay off.

"I believe (the Meridian Bridge) will be a very popular attraction locally, as well as a tourist attraction once we get it going," he said.