T-L Photo/ ROBERT A. DEFRANK Board members of the Great Stone Viaduct Historical Education Society, officials and donors break ground Tuesday on the first phase of converting the viaduct to a walkway and park. Shown from left are Marion Stolz, Jim Williams and Dan Frizzi, Bellaire Mayor Ed Marling, Jim Cochran, Amber Marshall, Larry Siebieda, Erica Keller, Lyndsay Maynard, Belmont County Tourism Director Jackee Pugh, Nancy Merryman, Belmont Saving Bank President Todd Cover, Belmont County Commissioner Jerry Echemann, and society President Ed Mowrer.

BELLAIRE — The first shovelfuls of dirt in a long-awaited project were turned during a groundbreaking ceremony for the Great Stone Viaduct preservation walkway Tuesday.

Ed Mowrer, president of the Great Stone Viaduct Historical Education Society, welcomed the board members, promoters and sponsors who made the project possible.

“It’s an exciting time for us. We are really excited to see this project move forward. We’ve been talking about it for years,” he said. “Today we’re doing groundbreaking on a $2 million ODOT project.”

He pointed out the preparatory work that is already underway.

“There’ll be a walkway on the bridge,” he said. “They’re working on an overlook that’ll hang out overtop of the arches, go all the way back roughly a half a mile, with a walking trail and a bike trail.”

Mowrer said a plaza will also be constructed.

“That is Phase 1 of our project, and it is kicking off now. We are hoping to have a dedication here in late fall when this project is completed,” he said, adding that in the future the society plans to continue developing land to the north for a park. “This isn’t the end of the project, it’s the start of the project.”

He commended the board members for their dedication over the last 10 years. He also praised the Belmont County Tourism Office for advice and leadership, as well as Belmont Savings Bank for its financial assistance.

“This could not happen without the efforts of a lot and a lot of people,” he said. “They came through. … We want to thank everyone for the help.”

“It’s a community project. It’s great,” Todd Cover, president of Belmont Savings Bank, said. “We can’t wait to see it done. … When they needed the money to get the grant, we were there to provide it. We were more than happy to do that.”

“The Great Stone Viaduct in Bellaire is such an important landmark for Belmont County,” tourism Director Jackee Pugh said. “It really showcases our rich history, and the way the Great Stone Viaduct Education Society has really embraced the restoration and the majestic beauty that this landmark has for the county is really great. The tourism office is really happy to be able to support them.”

Board member Dan Frizzi, who pioneered the group, said the viaduct was too important as a piece of architecture to allow it to fall into disrepair or be obtained by someone without an interest in preserving it.

“The mission we had was to provide historical education to the community. Bellaire’s a community that’s very, very rich in heritage of the past. What we’re trying to do here is build toward the future,” he said.

Frizzi said the bridge will be renovated to create a walking path. He referred to a monument in Bellaire Park dedicated to John H. Sullivan, president and promoter of the Central Ohio Railroad and the Bellaire & Southwestern Railroad, who said the builders of these railroads and bridges “could hear more distinctly than other men, the footsteps of coming generations.”

“We are engaged in this project, not for ourselves, but for future generations to enjoy,” Frizzi said.

Other plans include lighting for the bridge and plaques describing its history and recognizing donors. For more information, visit greatstoneviaduct.org.