ASHTABULA — They did it.
Crews who worked six 10-hour days this week in order to be able to lower the Harbor Lift Bridge by Thursday, accomplished their goal nearly a week early.
The bridge came down and stayed down early Friday afternoon.
“We are ecstatic,” said Dan Enniss, an employee at the Silver Branch on Bridge Street. “We are cheering.”
Dolly Jones, owner of the Doxie Deli, joined Bridge Street store owners as they hooted and hollered in delight.
“I’m so excited I could cry,” Jones said.
At Carlisle’s Home in the Harbor, Toni Carlisle said, “Bridge Street is celebrating.”
“Absolutely! Everyone is talking about it,” said Shannon Pennell, owner of Salon Ten Twenty on Bridge Street. “We are having a cheerfest, dancing around and loving every minute of it.”
ODOT District 4 deputy director Eric Czetli and construction engineer Phil Crish talked with city residents and merchants last month and promised to lower the 83-year-old bridge for about a month during the holiday season. The idea is to boost Bridge Street merchants’ sales during the Christmas shopping season and for a few weeks beyond.
Paula Putnam, ODOT District 4 public information officer, said Friday she was happy for Ashtabula merchants and residents.
“The bridge will come down and stay down by 5 p.m.,” she said.
Harbor merchants hope to attract holiday shoppers, while the Lights on the Lake Committee hopes it will increase traffic through its festive holiday light display at Lake Shore Park.
The final balancing and painting of the bridge will be done this spring.
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