LISBON — Plans to replace the swinging bridge at Willow Grove Park that was swept away 20 years ago received a big boost last week, with the village receiving nearly half a million dollars from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to advance the project.

“This is really good news for the village,” Lisbon Mayor Peter Wilson said in a statement. “Work on replacing the bridge began more than a decade ago. This grant is a big, big shot in the arm.”

The Regional Transportation Planning Organizations (RTPO) Capital Allocation grant awarded $465,070 to the village. Lisbon was one of 11 applicants in their region that applied for a part of the $6 million that was available. The grant offered up to $500,000 or 50% of construction costs of the project which is expected to cost $930,000.

The village has also already collected over $17,000 in private donations as well as a previous award of $98,000 from the state’s operating budget that the village received four years ago.

The bridge replacement project that has been under study since 2020. Dallis Dawson & Associates did the pre-engineering studies for free and those studies have been used to apply for grants.

“We are hopeful that next year we will be awarded the remainder of the funds, and we are looking at several other grants to get this job done,” Wilson said. “Work on the project could start as early as fiscal year 2027, which begins July 1, 2026.”

The pedestrian/bicycle bridge will connect Greenway Trail to Willow Grove Park and replace the former cable suspension bridge that washed during the major flood of 2004 when 6 inches of rain fell over Lisbon and rural northeastern Ohio in just six hours.

“The village looked at installing another swinging bridge but insurers were reluctant to insure such a structure due to liability concerns,” Wilson explained.

According to Wilson, the new structure will be about 80 feet long and meet ADA standards and be located north of the old bridge — close to the juncture of Lions Club and Logtown Roads.

Currently, there is no way to access the park from the Greenway Trail which attracts an estimated 200,000 visitors each year. Earlier this year, the Columbiana County Park District announced plans about a possible route to extend the trail from Lisbon to the Ohio River, meaning even more visitors to the trail in the future.

Wilson said the bridge will enable trail users to take advantage of the amenities in Willow Grove Park, boosting tourism.

“Studies have shown that bicyclists who travel more than one hour to use a bike trail, spend more than $120 apiece in food, drink and souvenirs,” Wilson said.

Wilson wants that money to be spent in Lisbon.

“That’s good for the local economy,” he said.