An unidentified city representative announced that two-way traffic has resumed on the Stimpson Avenue Bridge in Athens, saying the reopening is the most immediate milestone in a multi-year infrastructure program. The speaker said the project will continue with installation of a pedestrian and multimodal passage, decorative lighting and accent lighting under the bridge.

The representative, who introduced Jared Balderson as the project’s new director of engineering and public works, said the city has been "very intentional" about bridge maintenance "for the past 25 years" and pointed to several recent projects as examples. "If you think back to 2001 was when the West Union Bridal project took place...But of late, we've had the Richland Avenue roundabout bridge, which was a complete rebuild of the decking on that," the speaker said, listing other local bridge work and noting that such rebuilds typically offer about a 50-year useful life.

City officials framed the temporary traffic disruptions during construction as a short-term inconvenience. "It's it's bothersome. It's an annoyance," the representative said, "But at the end of the day...when it comes to our bridge infrastructure, we are so far ahead of any other city in Southeastern Ohio." The speaker said finishing touches will include a pedestrian/multimodal lane and decorative and under-bridge lighting intended to enhance the crossing as a gateway into the city.

Jared Balderson was introduced on-site as the new director of engineering and public works; the transcript records the introduction but does not include remarks from Balderson. The representative described the work as maintenance and upgrades meant to extend the bridge’s service life and did not provide a construction-completion date or cost figures.

Officials said no vote or formal council action was recorded at the site; the remarks were a project update and announcement of restored traffic flow. Work to add pedestrian features and lighting will continue before final project closeout.