The community is invited to provide public feedback on a new pedestrian bridge that will be built on the north side of the new westbound Interstate 44 bridge over the Meramec River.

Project partners Great Rivers Greenway and the cities of Sunset Hills, Kirkwood and Fenton invite residents of the region to an open house about the project to build a connection for people walking and biking on the new bridge.

The three cities, along with project partners Great Rivers Greenway and the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), invite neighbors to learn about the project and give their input from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20, at the Sunset Hills Community Center, 3915 S. Lindbergh Blvd.

The project is still in an early planning phase and will bid for construction at the end of 2020. People can stop by any time for light refreshments and to check out display boards, talk to staff and fill out a survey.

The pedestrian bridge will connect Stoneywood Drive to the Meramec Greenway near Yarnell Road, making it possible for people to walk, ride a bike, push a stroller or use a wheelchair to connect to parks, businesses and neighborhoods on both sides of the river.

At this time concepts are being explored to guide the design of trail connections and amenities associated with the bridge. Public input and technical feasibility are important components of the concept development. This project has several goals:

• Provide people with a safe and accessible way to cross the Meramec River while walking, running or riding a bike.

• Connect to the Meramec Greenway, parks, trails, businesses, neighborhoods and other destinations on either side, including possible new trailheads with amenities like a restroom, benches and parking.

• Allow people to connect to the river; inviting people to enjoy nature leads to ownership and opportunities to be good stewards of these natural resources for the health and sustainability of the watershed.