By Mary Alice Murphy

Attendees to the New Mexico-90/Hudson Street Bridge meeting, which was held in front of the Grant County Administration Center because no one showed up to open the building on a pleasant evening, Wednesday, March 16, heard a project status update.

Is the bridge finished? Not quite.

Is all the work underneath the bridge complete? It hasn't really started.

What's left to do?

Many of those who cross the bridge multiple times in a day or a week, probably thought the bridge was finished, although they may occasionally see workers doing tasks on the bridge.

According to Brian Torres, New Mexico Department of Transportation project manager, several items remain before reaching completion.

"Work is happening on the water line," Torres said. "Yesterday (Tuesday), they had a leak in the 12-inch line. The 24-inch storm drain line seems fine. The contractor had to order a coupling to fix the leak."

On the lighting, the department is waiting for the electric contractor to return, he said. "They will have to add fuses to the existing light poles. It's to integrate the old fixtures with the new ones. PNM is working on the permit to drop the service."

Nancy Cliff, Silver City resident, said she has seen no signs on the bridge, but would like to see a sign pointing to the San Vicente Trailhead below the bridge.

Filiberto Castorena, District 1 assistant engineer, said small signs could be done in the District 1 shop. "We meet with city officials to discuss such items."

Torres said he did not know if the clean up and painting had been completed on the pedestrian part of the bridge. "We need to paint the outside of the girders and the rest of the pedestrian fence. The cross-wise joints in the concrete on the deck are breaking on some of the edges. We will cut the joint wider and add Evazote-