HICKORY, N.C. — The city of Hickory will receive a $1.325 million settlement in connection with the collapse of wooden arches on a pedestrian bridge in February 2022.
The arches spanned the Rudy Wright pedestrian bridge, which crosses over North Carolina 127 and is a key feature of Hickory's City Walk. The city filed suit against three companies last April for breach of contract and negligence for their work with the arches. The companies, Neill Grading and Construction Company, Inc., Dane Construction Company, and Western Wood Structure, reached the settlement with the city through mediation, according to a Hickory news release.
Hickory City Council approved the settlement on Tuesday, Oct. 17.
“We’re pleased with the results of the litigation," Mayor Hank Guess said. "With this settlement agreement, all parties can turn their attention to the future."
The City Walk connects Lenoir-Rhyne University to downtown Hickory. The arches were installed less than a year before their collapse at a price tag of $752,743.66, which was part of a $14 million contract for Hickory's City Walk Project with Neill Grading and Construction.
According to the complaint, Neill subcontracted design, fabrication and installation of the arches to Dane. Dane then included Western Wood to design and fabricate the arches.
Wake Up Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with the team at Wake Up Charlotte.
SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart
All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.