The Romeo Observer - Romeo, Michigan: Northern Macomb County's weekly newspaper since 1866

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CURTIS OSTRANDER	DUAINE HARDING
ELEANOR TODD	ELMER "BUD" HAHN
GERVASE KILEY	MARIAN SUTTON
ORLO KIRKUM	SLAVA KOKOTOVICH
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BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION. Above, the Macomb Orchard Trail leading from 32 Mile Road to the M-53 bypass abruptly ends, revealing construction work that began on April 13 to build a pedestrian bridge over M-53. This portion of the trail has been closed off during construction.

(Observer photo by Chris Gray)

Pedestrian bridge scheduled
for completion in July

Bridge will link
Macomb Orchard Trail

by CHRIS GRAY
Observer Staff Writer

      Walkers and bikers will have a safe way of traversing M-53 beginning this summer.
       Construction has begun on a pedestrian covered bridge that will stretch over M-53 just north of 32 Mile Road, connecting the Macomb Orchard Trail on either side of the bypass. The bridge is scheduled for completion in July.
       The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will be responsible for maintaining the bridge.
       The bridge signifies one of the last big hurdles in finishing the Macomb Orchard Trail, said John Crumm, project manager for Macomb County Planning and Economic Development. He said plans for building the bridge have actually been around for at least 10 years.
       "When upgrading M-53 to a bypass, the bridge was proposed at that time," he said. "We had to negotiate with MDOT to find a way to pay for it, which took about two years."
       In the end, he said the bridge is paid for by enhancement grant funds, which are funds budgeted out from federal transportation legislation. These funds can be used for non-motorized bridges only.
       Construction began on April 14, and this week MDOT is scheduled to begin pouring foundation structures. Crumm said on certain days during construction a lane will need to be closed on either side, but there will be few days of driving inconvenience.
       "Prior to construction we had multiple planning sessions, and tried to plan with the least amount of time with the road being down," he said.
       Low-grade ramps will lead up to the bridge, which will match the proper federal height requirements to allow semi trucks to safely pass under it.
       The bridge itself is a unique project that MDOT has never tried before, Crumm said. To match the rural feeling of the area, but maintain safety as well, the covered bridge will have an aluminum and steel barn-like cover.
       "We didn't want them to put up something like on I-94 that has a caged-in fence," he said. "(MDOT) was a little weary of doing it, but we convinced them it was the right thing to do."
       The Macomb Orchard Trail is a 23.5 mile non-motorized path set for completion this summer. Crumm said there is some extra work needed in a stony section east of Powell Road that could be completed in the fall.
       Once finished, the trail will be the longest hike/bike path in the county, and will provide a connection between St. Clair County to Oakland County.
       The path begins in Shelby Township and stretches through communities like the Village of Romeo and Armada, Bruce, Armada and Richmond townships, ending in the City of Richmond.