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.

.org
We Have Answers.

 
 
 
Need help finding 
senior care? 

 
Call jhelp at 1-833-44-JHELP

 
Visit jhelp.org

 
Chat online with a staff 
member or schedule a 
 
call at jhelp.org

 
Do all of the above
✗

Q