By RAYMOND ADEEKO

Staff Writer

People afraid of using the Bonner Street bridge can now look forward to driving on it since a new bridge is planned to be constructed.

The old bridge, located in downtown Ruston, will be demolished and a new bridge will be constructed in the same spot as the old one starting this November.

Tommy Duke, an inspector for the Department of Transportation Commission, said construction of the bridge is expected to begin sometime this month.

Ruston Mayor Dan Hollingsworth said the $950,000 project would last 65 construction days but added this estimate also depends on weather conditions.

Hollingsworth said change is necessary because of the bad conditions of the old bridge and it is also important for the safety of people who use the old bridge.

"We are constructing a new one because the old bridge is about to fall down," Hollingsworth said.

"It is in bad repair all the time, and it is dangerous [for our residents] to drive over."

Hollingsworth said the bridge is a hazard to the emergency services of Ruston because it prevents them, especially the fire department, from responding rapidly.

"[The bridge] holds back our emergency services," Hollingsworth said. "We can't drive fire trucks over it because they are too heavy and the bridge cannot hold it."

Hollingsworth said the project will be carried out to meet the latest standards and will also fit the needs of the emergency departments.

"It will be the latest-type construction, and it will be safe and strong enough to be able to hold the fire trucks," Hollingsworth said.

The contractor for the project is Kostmayer Construction from Metarie.

Duke said financing for the construction will largely come from federal funding, but the state will add to the funds.