MITCH CASEY The Marietta Times Volunteer Bill Hutchinson, front, of Ironworkers Local 787, helps fellow ironworker Brian Mincks weld a plate into place as Bob Ward, back, of Pipefitters Local 168 works another section of the Historic Harmar Bridge.

The Historic Harmar Bridge could be reopened to pedestrian traffic in a matter of weeks, thanks to volunteers from a couple of local unions and material donations from area businesses.

“We’re setting up to have eight steel plates tacked to the structure so that welders can weld them in on Saturday,” Bill Hutchinson, with Ironworkers Local 787, said on Friday.

He said the Ironworkers, assisted by volunteers from Pipefitters Local 168, would be working on stabilization of the span for at least this weekend and the following weekend, depending on the weather.

Throughout the week, Hutchinson and crews have been installing “floats,” rope-supported wooden platforms that provide an area for the workers to stand while working beneath the bridge decking.

“All of the labor and materials have been donated by the unions and local businesses,” he said, noting that most of the material came from Pioneer Pipe and Leasco Equipment.