The so-called “high bridge” that towers over the Chippewa River just downstream from the Xcel Energy dam in Eau Claire will soon be part of the city’s extensive trail system. On Aug. 12, the Eau Claire City Council voted unanimously to accept a $1.15 million bid to transform the 19th-century iron railroad bridge, which hasn’t been used for decades, into a 21st-century thoroughfare for bicyclists and pedestrians. The work will be more expensive than originally envisioned, however: A few years ago, the city budgeted about $600,000 for the project, but inflation in construction costs caused that figure to balloon. The good news: A $494,000 state grant will cover a good chunk of the original estimated cost. The bad news: That leaves another half a million dollars the city will have to pull out of an account set aside for bridge repair. City engineer David Solberg told the council that the city should be able to trim the cost down a little by using surplus parts from a previous bridge project as well as modifying some materials in the bid. Eventually, the bridge will be linked to the rest of the city’s trail system via a yet-to-be-built path along Forest Street toward Phoenix Park. In the meantime, construction by Pember Companies of Menomonie will begin in the fall, and by next year the bridge will give Eau Clairians a great new way – with a really great new view – of crossing the river.