A $12 million dollar construction project designed to replace the existing bridge connecting the communities of Philo and Duncan Falls opened Friday afternoon after a short ribbon-cutting ceremony held in honor of Lieutenant Michael J. Lutz, for whom the bridge is named.

Numerous individuals, including Ohio State Senator Tim Schaffer and Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz, spoke at the commemoration where they discussed both the benefit the bridge will have for the surrounding communities and the ultimate sacrifice given by one of Muskingum County’s own law enforcement officers.

Built in the early 1950s and having undergone restoration in the late 70s, the now-closed and soon to be demolished Philo, Duncan Falls bridge began to deteriorate beyond cost-effective repairs nearly a decade ago.

Last year after a fraction critical inspection, the Muskingum County Engineer’s office had to limit traffic down to one lane as it was determined that the steel on the bridge had also begun to deteriorate, which made the limitation to traffic necessary.

According to Muskingum County Engineer Mark Eicher, plans for a new bridge began with the prior administration, who helped secure the funding needed for such an expensive project.

Eicher explained that without state and federal assistance the county would have never been able to afford such an expensive structure, while also maintaining its inventory of over 400 bridges.

Ultimately, the Lieutenant Michael J. Lutz Memorial bridge took over two-and-a-half years to build due to high water levels, which hampered construction efforts and led crews to work around the clock when able to complete the bridge in as timely of a manner as possible.

Engineers say that the new bridge should go nearly 40 to 50 years without needing repairs, though it will need to be inspected yearly as required by law.

Sheriff Lutz, son of Lieutenant Lutz, said the new county-owned bridge was needed for quite some time and he’s happy for it to be completed.

As for the bridge being named in his father’s honor, Lutz, surrounded by his mother, Polly Lutz, and his wife and children as he spoke during the ceremony, said the whole family is very thankful to the commissioners and the public for such a tribute.

“My dad was not somebody who would be looking for recognition or for awards, but he would surely be humbled and honored to have this bridge named after him,” said Lutz.

The Sheriff was delegated with the task of cutting the ribbon, to signify the opening of the new bridge, with the same scissors that were used in 1954 at the ribbon-cutting of the Philo, Duncan Falls bridge when it was christened.

Following the ceremony, a procession of law enforcement vehicles led multiple members of the Lutz family across the bridge allowing them to be the first to officially cross the bridge.

According to Eicher, his office hopes to demo the former bridge either late this year or in early 2021.

The crew will use machinery to take the deck off the old bridge and then use dynamite charges to drop the rest of the remaining structure onto the causeway where it will be carried away and disposed of.

Eicher said they are currently awaiting permission from the United States Coast Guard to begin decommission.

The old Philo, Duncan Falls bridge has since been closed, and both motorists and pedestrians are directed to use the new bridge for travel between the two communities.