Council flags pedestrian safety after walking bridge near Walmart was damaged

Scottsburg — City council members on Monday said a walking bridge near the Walmart shopping area remains out of service after being damaged in a vehicle accident several months ago and described conditions that pose a safety risk to pedestrians, particularly after dark.

A council member asked staff for an estimated timeline to repair the structure and noted that people are using the roadway because the bridge is not safe or well lit. Staff replied that the city is waiting for the insurance claim for the accident to progress and that they do not yet know how much the insurer will pay; that uncertainty delays repairs and creates the risk the city could face costs if insurance coverage is inadequate.

Council members urged staff to follow up on the claim and said they recognized the issue as a safety concern given increasing darkness during winter months. There was no motion recorded to allocate emergency city funding at the meeting.

What happens next: Council requested staff to continue pursuing the insurance claim and report back with a timeline or funding options if coverage does not fully cover repair costs.