For nearly five years, it has served as Elkin's favorite path for casual sunset strolls, jogs, bike rides and rolling blading. It has stood as the best seat in the house to watch Elkin little league football practices. It has marked locals' preferred scenic overlook of the Yadkin River. And now its days are numbered.

The Hugh Chatham Memorial Bridge is “officially” closed to pedestrians.

“Technically,” said NC Department of Transportation division engineer Mike Pettyjohn, “the bridge has been closed since December 2005.”

While the bridge has been blocked off to vehicular traffic since it failed state inspection in 2005, pedestrians have still made use of it for leisurely walks between Elkin and Jonesville. Despite notices of the bridge's closing five years ago, the rules have never been enforced for pedestrians.

That could change abruptly now that the bridge's demolition is “officially” underway.

“It is now the contractor's bridge to get down,” said Pettyjohn.

As of Monday, Aug. 9, DOT's contract with DLB, Incorporated of Hillsville, Va., took effect, making all safety precautions – including banning pedestrian traffic along the bridge – the responsibility of the construction group.

While an anonymous representative of DLB, Inc. refused to confirm a specific date for any safety measures to be issued, Pettyjohn said that now the bridge is considered a construction zone, pedestrians need to stay off of it and remain cautious while passing through or underneath the area of the Chatham bridge.

“It will be fairly soon that they are really going to enforce (the bridge's closure to pedestrian traffic),” said Pettyjohn. “With the contractor starting work there, no one needs to be in that work zone for their own safety.”

As to when exactly the bridge's actual demolition will begin and the area will be blocked to pedestrian traffic, details remain vague. DLB, Inc. has so far been tight-lipped on giving specific construction updates to the Town of Elkin.

An article in Monday's Winston-Salem Journal reported that, according to DLB officials, “actual demolition is scheduled to begin on Aug. 23.” As of Monday night, however, Elkin Town Manager Lloyd Payne said that the contractors had not made him aware of the “actual demolition” date.

In an e-mail inquiry to DLB, Inc. sent by Payne on Tuesday morning, DLB, Inc. representative Rob Underwood told Payne that his group has a crane onsite and that it should be moving in an excavator within "the next day or so." Underwood also told Payne that DLB, Inc. hopes to have workers onsite by Thursday to begin installing erosion control measures.

Payne was told at a July 26 meeting with DLB, Inc. representatives that demolition was slated to begin on Aug. 9, although it was not specified whether or not “actual” demolition would begin on that day.

Jonesville Town Manager Scott Buffkin also said that he was unaware of any changes made to the bridge's scheduled demolition.

In a Monday interview with the Tribune, DLB, Inc. officials refused to release any information regarding the bridge's demolition to the public.

Pettyjohn, however, told the Tribune that the demolition will be an extended process that might not show immediate effects.

“There have been some misconceptions about how the demolition is going to take place,” said Pettyjohn.

Pettyjohn explained that although NC DOT's $1.8 million contract with DLB, Inc. began on Monday, Aug. 9, it does not necessarily mean that the bridge will start being disassembled on that date. He said that the contractors must first move in construction equipment such as utility trucks and signage.

Even then, Pettyjohn said that the bridge will come down in sections and that the project could take up to 18 months. DLB, Inc. has until Dec. 11, 2011 – the date which their contract with DOT expires – to complete the demolition project.

According to Pettyjohn, however, that 18-month time period includes remedial construction work such as re-landscaping Crater Park and other public areas belonging to the Town of Elkin. Pettyjohn said that he does not anticipate the actual demolition of the bridge lasting the full 18-month duration of the contract.

Pettyjohn also confirmed that NC DOT officials will be onsite daily, observing DLB, Inc.'s work and ensuring that the demolition process is operating safely and smoothly.

“We do leave it up to the contractor,” said Pettyjohn. “(However,) our resident office in Mt. Airy is making sure the contractor is following the contract – (including following) guidelines for safety, protecting the adjacent property and making sure we get what we paid for.”