New pedestrian bridge construction on 25 Mile Road in Shelby Township set to begin
In a move aimed at enhancing pedestrian connectivity and ensuring safety for residents, construction of a new pedestrian bridge over the Lawson Drain on the north side of 25 Mile Road, between Mound Road and Van Dyke Ave, will begin.
The proposed bridge will fill the existing sidewalk gap, providing a crucial link for neighborhoods north of 25 Mile Road to Malow Junior High, Morgan Elementary and Eisenhower High School. The bridge, designed as a premanufactured steel truss bridge supported by concrete footings, is a significant step towards improving pedestrian safety.
Township Trustee Lisa Casali, a member of the township’s Sidewalk Committee, emphasized the importance of the project in addressing community priorities.
"Based on meetings with residents and the Sidewalk Committee and feedback from our community visioning process, we know a top priority for our community is to improve pedestrian safety near our parks and schools," said Casali. "This bridge will be a fantastic asset in those efforts.”
The fabrication of the bridge requires a lead time of seven months, and the scheduled commencement of the project is the week of Jan. 22. Crews aim to complete earthwork, excavation and concrete footings by March 2024, weather permitting.
Subsequent phases include the sidewalk installation and grading in the spring or early summer of 2024, with bridge delivery and installation set for June 2024. After bridge installation, the final touches, including sidewalk completion, grading and restoration, are expected to be finalized by the end of the summer of 2024.
Construction will necessitate lane closures on 25 Mile Road, which will be managed and posted by the Macomb County Department of Roads. For updates on road closures, visit macombgov.org/departments/department-roads.
The initiative received a financial boost from the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments with an award of $268,169 in its Fiscal Year 2023 Transportation Alternatives Program funds. These funds facilitate more gains for the township's broader plan to enhance pedestrian connectivity as it fills one of the last gaps on 25 Mile Road between Mound Road and Van Dyke Ave.
“In addition to this project, we've also invested in more than 1,300 feet of new sidewalks and several safe crossing near parks and schools,” Casali said noting that one of those safe crossing is just west of the Lawson Drain at the entrance to the Eisenhower Performing Arts Center on 25 Mile Road.
The construction of the new pedestrian bridge aligns with the township's broader vision of enhancing safety and connectivity for residents, particularly around critical educational and recreational areas. The project builds upon the success of the township's 2022 TAP projects on 24 Mile, 21 Mile and 22 Mile roads, collectively aiming to create safer pathways for residents to access local core services and regional trails.
"All of the credit for this project goes to Trustee Lisa Casali and other Shelby Township Sidewalk Committee members," Township Supervisor Rick Stathakis said. "They spend a lot of time talking with residents and finding ways to meet their needs within the constraints of the sidewalk budget. Thanks to their work in securing these grants, we can meet the safety needs of our community."
As the proposed construction date approaches, residents are encouraged to stay informed about road closures and project updates through the Macomb County Department of Roads website, the township's social media channels and shelbytwp.org.
The new pedestrian bridge becomes another vital asset for the community, promoting safer and more accessible pedestrian pathways in Shelby Township.
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