SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — After sitting closed to the public for more than eight years, the historic Jefferson Avenue Footbridge in Springfield is finally set to undergo a long-anticipated rehabilitation. City officials will host a construction kickoff ceremony on Wednesday, June 18, at 10:30 a.m. at the C-Street Market Pavilion to mark the beginning of the restoration project.

Originally closed in March 2016 due to severe corrosion and structural safety concerns, the bridge has since remained a symbol of both civic memory and deferred maintenance in the city’s Commercial Street Historic District. The closure followed a routine inspection by the Department of Public Works, which found dangerous levels of steel deterioration that rendered the bridge unsafe for pedestrians.

The ambitious restoration effort will be led by Public Works in partnership with Branco Enterprises and Great River Engineering. According to a city news release, the team will first dismantle the bridge and rehabilitate its structural components at ground level before reassembling it later this year.

“This project is about preserving a piece of Springfield’s history while ensuring it meets today’s safety standards,” said a city spokesperson. “The Jefferson Avenue Footbridge is not just a structure — it’s part of our cultural and architectural identity.”

The rehabilitation is expected to be completed by early 2026, marking a significant milestone for the community. The bridge, which spans 562 feet and connects Commercial Street to the Midtown neighborhood over the BNSF rail yard, has been an iconic fixture in Springfield since its original construction in 1902.

City leaders and local residents alike have long advocated for the bridge's restoration, citing its importance to pedestrian access and community cohesion. With the construction now officially underway, hopes are high that the project will revitalize both the bridge and surrounding areas.

For updates and additional details about the project, the public is encouraged to visit the City of Springfield’s website.

Originally reported by Russell Bell in Ozarks First.