DECEMBER 9 • 2021 | 23
during the construction, antici-
pated to last from 2024-2025.
Monica Monsma, public
involvement and hearings offi-
cer of MDOT, opened the meet-
ing by stressing that MDOT
wishes to gather as much input
as possible from the public in
the process of designing the
replacement bridge.
Jeff Pitt, senior contracts
engineer at MDOT and proj-
ect manager, explained the
constraints on designing the
replacement bridge. Some of
the bridge will need to have
the more traditional model of
concrete over the superstruc-
ture. He asked his audience to
consider where, in addition to
the parking lot, concrete could
be placed without hurting the
aesthetics of the bridge. Perhaps
a section with vertical elements
providing shade and picnic
tables below? Would grills be
allowed? Or put in fitness sta-
tions?
Pitt also stated that many of
the amenities can be salvaged
and reused, such as the lighting
and playground equipment
that was upgraded in 2016.
The National Environmental
Policy Act gave clearance to the
original bridge after considering
how it would mitigate damage
to the community from the
construction of the freeway.
The project must accommodate
intended uses in the original
NEPA clearance.
To that end, the project
manager is asking the gen-
eral public for input on what
is working and what can be
improved?
Input into the design pro-
cess can be made through a
link to an online comments
form: forms.office.com/g/4vb-
zHQ0cQR.
Title VI of the 1965 Civil
Rights Act requires that
Michigan give everyone the
opportunity to comment
on transportation projects.
Here is a link to the Title VI
survey: forms.office.com/g/
DDBmu3U9Ka
In addition, the presenters
can be reached via email: Jeff
Pitt, Pittj@Michigan.gov; Matt
Chynoweth, ChynowethM@
michigan.gov; and Monica
Monsma, monsmam@mch.gov.
Interested parties can
also attend future meetings.
Monsma explained that this
virtual meeting was the first
of an anticipated round of six
meetings to gather input from
the public and from stake-
holders.
Jeff Pitt added that the
MDOT leadership could
schedule even more meetings
if that seems useful.
Children enjoy the playground equipment, which was improved in
2016. This equipment will likely be repurposed on the new bridge.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MDOT
Supported through the generosity of The Jewish Fund and the D. Dan and Betty Kahn Family Foundation.
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