City of Ann Arbor submits official application for federal funding to replace East Stadium bridges
The City of Ann Arbor filed paperwork to officially ask the federal government to kick in $13.9 million for repairs to the crumbling East Stadium bridge, city officials said today.
The city expects to hear in October whether the project will receive any funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation's TIGER II - Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery - grant program.
Federal and local officials gathered under the bridge in May.
This isn't the first time the city has asked for federal funding for the bridges. For at least five years, the city has been unsuccessfully seeking state or federal grant money to fix the bridges.
City officials say it's about a $23 million project and would cripple the city's ability to repair local streets for the next few years if it had to pay for the bridges on its own.
The city is asking the federal government to cover 80 percent of the cost to fix two aging bridge spans. The bridge over South State Street was built in 1917, and the bridge over the Ann Arbor Railroad tracks was built in 1928.
The TIGER II grant program will dole out more than $600 million for projects nationwide.
To bolster its chances for funding, city officials have been lobbying hard for support. In May, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation John Porcari flew in from Washington, D.C., at the request of U.S. Congressman John Dingell to inspect the bridges firsthand In June, City Council voted unanimously in favor of supporting the city's TIGER II grant application.
City officials say the $13.9 million requested would be used to replace the East Stadium Boulevard bridge over South State Street and the bridge over the Ann Arbor railroad. The project extends from Kipke Drive to a point 200 feet west of South Industrial Highway.
The city commissioned a benefit-cost analysis of the project as part of its application. Among the findings, according to the city:
- $253 million will be saved by the city and the community as a result of the bridges being replaced. That includes a savings of $33.16 million annually in travel delays, vehicle operation, and collision costs associated with traveling the proposed detour route.
- This means the resulting benefit-cost ratio is 11 to 1 - with 11 times more benefit than cost.
The city also has several pending grant applications for state funding from the Michigan Department of Transportation, according to a city press release. Michael Nearing, the city's senior project manager, could not immediately be reached for comment this morning.
Since January 2009, traffic has been reduced to one lane in each direction on the north side of the bridge after an inspection showed a small deflection in one of the beams under the eastbound traffic.
Comments
fensk
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 3:01 p.m.
Can someone please tell me what all the orange "knitting" is about...it is on the fence, on Stadium??? There is more every day! Are we trying to crochet it all better????
John Q
Thu, Sep 2, 2010 : 2:27 p.m.
"So, here in A2, the incompetents who run the place want to spend nearly twice as much for a job one third the size which will take five times as long to complete. What is wrong with this picture?" Your ability to understand the difference between the two proposals. The Santa Monica bridge was already collapsed and there was no need to maintain traffic while the new bridge was being built. Anyone with a basic background in road and bridge construction would know this. Speaking outside of your area of expertise?
bissiechef
Thu, Sep 2, 2010 : 12:54 p.m.
Maybe it would be a good idea to come up with an alternate plan, using city funds, since for FIVE years they have been unsuccessful getting money from state AND federal sources. I think safe bridges are a LOT more important than brand new police stations.
Plubius
Thu, Sep 2, 2010 : 12:42 p.m.
Just to put things in perspective: When the Northridge earthquake hit southern CA in 1994, a section of the Santa Monica freeway collapsed, see here for a picture: http://www.ctscement.com/project_EarthquakeRepair.asp. If you count, you will see that this section of bridge carries 10+ lanes of traffic and spans ~150 ft. The fixed-price bid was won by CC Myers Inc. in the amount of $14.9M, with bonuses/penalties for early/late completion. The job was finished in just 66 days. So, here in A2, the incompetents who run the place want to spend nearly twice as much for a job one third the size which will take five times as long to complete. What is wrong with this picture?
Plubius
Thu, Sep 2, 2010 : 12:30 p.m.
#23M for a bridge that is, at most, 200 feet long??? The request is total nonsense. Hire competent engineers, fire the unions, and replace the bridge for $2M.
readerone
Thu, Sep 2, 2010 : 9:54 a.m.
Wow, I thought funding for the bridge was way farther along than it is apparently is. Really appalling. Hey, I agree with an earlier comment, no rush!
Heather
Thu, Sep 2, 2010 : 7:47 a.m.
It is a black mark on our city management that the Stadium bridges are still not close to repaired. This is a MAJOR artery of the city, it is ugly, dangerous and inconvienient for many. This should be the #1 priority for city roads, not Plymouth Road, Geddes, Seventh and every other road that's under construction right now. I am a fan of Alden Dow, architect, and city hall is NOT a fine example of mid-century architecture. It is a poorly planned building and it is a poor copy of the Guggenheim Museum.
Diagenes
Thu, Sep 2, 2010 : 7:28 a.m.
Is this application an attempt to shore up John Dingell's relection? Hold out the hope for a bridge and you better vote for him or you will never see the money. Now that Dingell has a real challener in Dr. Steele, he has to play the I can deliver money card. Where has he been the past five years while the bridge has been falling down? Dump Dingell and the feds money, lets repair the bridge ourselves.
mferg56
Thu, Sep 2, 2010 : 7:22 a.m.
Has the city considered simply tearing down the bridge and replacing it with a railroad crossing at the tracks, and a traffic-lighted intersection at State St? Why is a bridge even necessary? There aren't that many trains that use that rail line anymore, and it would make it simpler to get to State St. from Stadium Blvd. Seems to me it would be less costly as well.
Stephen Skelley
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 10:40 p.m.
This may sound naive, but why wasn't this problem addressed about twenty years ago, when the repair bill was still in the ballpark? Perhaps there's a lesson here that city council might learn.
Lynn Lumbard
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 6:56 p.m.
Amalie, can you find out the average number of trains that pass under the bridge daily? Maybe we don't need a bridge there.
other
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 5:39 p.m.
here is the article from earlier, when they applied for Tiger I and didn't get the money. they didn't meet the requirements then, will they now? what changed? http://www.annarbor.com/news/ann-arbors-stadium-bridges-fail-to-make-list-of-federal-tiger-grant-recipients/
Lokalisierung
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 5:16 p.m.
"turn it into a standard stoplight intersection like the rest of the world has, and..." I'd be in favor of that but I thought they would have to go through the RR people for somethign like that and it was a big to-do. Don't remeber though.
treetowncartel
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 4:35 p.m.
What about creating a bridge authority and then charging a toll to to get across? The toll's would fund the repair and the bridge would eventually pay for itself. Hike it up a little on football Saturdays too. I am pretty skeptical of the 200 and some odd million that this bridge sitting in disrepair is costing. That sounds like some fuzzy math or voodoo economics at work.
Lokalisierung
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 4:02 p.m.
"So, after this application fails, what will the city do then? Is someone asking that question?" By the documents posted above in this article, the city will close down the bridge in 2015. The bridge will stay closed for 9 years. Monies will be spent to fix detour roads. Then the bridge will start to be rebuilt in 2024 taking roughly 18 months to complete.
racerx
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 3:55 p.m.
Instead of taking responsibility for their own affairs, the city is, again, relying on the Federal Government for assistance. So, after this application fails, what will the city do then? Is someone asking that question?If the city fails to receive funds what will be their next plan of action? Or, will the bridge stand there in disrepair? Again, this is what is so frustrating about those in City Hall. They can find the money for their pet projects, but a bridge that is vital to the wider segment of the population goes unattended. How many other communities are vying for those same funds? If it was anything like Tiger I, there simply won't be enough federal dollars to go around. Even if the city does get the funds, the total replacement of the bridge will take at least seven years to complete.
Lokalisierung
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 3:50 p.m.
Why are my taxes so insanely high? Becasue your home is worth an insane amount more than other cities. Becasue the residnts of this town keep voting for milliges that add up (democracy). Where does the money go? All over the place. County, schools take a huge chunk. Not all of it goes to the city Why do we have a broken bridge on the way to our expensive new stadium? The stadium is not "ours," it's the University's. Like 1/3 of the town, whcih doesn't pay any property tax.
15crown00
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 3:32 p.m.
I like the credit card option Seriously A2 is going to get little if any funding so CLOSE both bridges.People will figure out ways to get where they gotta go. As for the football fans it's 7-8 Saturdays a year so they aren't really part of the equation and they'll figure out a way to get to the BIG HOUSE anyway.
MichU
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 3:31 p.m.
Ideally, the University of Michigan could use its clout to get the funding, or put some of its money toward a new bridge near its (public school) stadium replete with private, luxury boxes.
Mark Nielsen
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 3:10 p.m.
Instead of a poll about whether the city will get funding, how about these questions: Why is the city so broke? Why are my taxes so insanely high? Where does the money go? Why do we have a broken bridge on the way to our expensive new stadium? What's happened to all the talk about rail systems? Why is our nation crumbling?
mdc
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 3:09 p.m.
@Lokalisierung I was being a little facetious when mentioning the football fans... BUT, I didn't expect the comment to be dismissed entirely. Does anyone else think that how the city is perceived by visitors is a valid concern? Like it or not, football brings in a large percentage of Ann Arbor's annual visitors... and nearly all of them will see this same partially closed off bridge for the second (third?) year in a row this Fall. I just noticed another AnnArbor.com article saying the city made another "Top 10" list... I think such recognition is valuable to the city (and I can only hope things like this are considered in the rating process).
Tracy
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 2:50 p.m.
I'm with you Emily - maybe some of the cash towards making the Stadium and Giant, Ugly Cliff should have been used to fix the bridge. Looks like a McMansion surrounded by rubble.
John Q
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 2:48 p.m.
History of M-17 http://www.michiganhighways.org/listings/MichHwys10-19.html#M-017
michiganexpats.com
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 2:47 p.m.
Better fix it or close it soon!
Emily
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 2:35 p.m.
Shouldn't the university be funding some of this? All the traffic to the football stadium every year has certainly contributed to the wear and tear. And with all the money they're going to earn now with the luxury boxes, it only seems fair to have them foot some of the bill.
jameslucas
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 2:14 p.m.
Tear down the bridge it's not needed.
Lokalisierung
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 2:10 p.m.
"If $33 million would be saved annually by spending $23 million,..." Right, but the document is showing that a good chunk of the 33 mill savings, is the savings of having the bridge replaced and not having to follow detours. But I will only have to take these detours if the bridge is being replaced right? Macabre Sunset, help me make some sense of this...I think my blood sugar is low.
Bonsai
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 2:08 p.m.
I second 48104 -- I can't think of a less interesting or relevant "poll"
Lokalisierung
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 2:03 p.m.
What's the point of this document if it's analizing the difference between replacing the bridge, and not replacing the bridge? Obviously the bridge must be replaced. I was a little confused that the planned date for the bridge repair, if no tiger grants are found, is in 2024. So in the justifacation section, the 7.3 million $ saved by personal car operators (non business) is the total savings they would get if the tiger grants came in and bridge was fixed in 2011, as oppossed to the bridge being closed in 2015 and not being completed to 2025? I cannot be reading this correctly?
Macabre Sunset
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 1:55 p.m.
If $33 million would be saved annually by spending $23 million, it makes a lot of sense that our wise Council has let the bridge sit in that state for almost two years. The reason they're not getting the grants is that even Washington sees that Ann Arbor is run by refugees from the funny farm and would find a way to waste the money. Someone would pull a Liz Brater and the bridge wouldn't get fixed.
Marc Williams
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 1:40 p.m.
Yes, we need these bridges. Desperately need them. But, the critics of the new police-courts building must have never visited City Hall. It is a poorly designed building and it did not meet the needs of the Ann Arbor Police Department. The same people who are complaining about the new building are often the biggest supposed boosters of the AAPD. Why don't they deserve a nice building where they can do their job? Why don't the people of Ann Arbor deserve a nice building? Where's the civic pride? I am happy they spent the money and built what appears to be a good building instead of another Guy C. Larcom, Jr. Municipal Building. I hope it will be used and a point of pride for many generations.
MikeAA
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 1:24 p.m.
I live just down the road from that area and have found that its not too bad to just go around to State and under the thing. For whatever reason, Id rather it collapsed above me than below me.
ShadowManager
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 1:20 p.m.
TIGER II is making most commutes in and around the circle of Ann Arbor patently miserable lately. Can they please...PLEASE!...finish that overlong project at Stadium near Pioneer sometime before they start this? It's a mess out there...don't get me started on the Plymouth Road debacle...
Lokalisierung
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 12:58 p.m.
"Sounds like they are looking for someone to bail them out of all there mismanagement." Wouldn't you? I can never understand why people say this is such a bad thing. I know I looked for grants and scholarships before taking loans out to go to college. Where so this "federal dollars" come from for this "hand out" their looking for? I seem to remember paying taxes to the federal government for the last 20 years.
48104
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 12:52 p.m.
What is the point of the poll? How should we know what the chances are? What DIFFERENCE does it make?
scooter dog
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 12:51 p.m.
Well,if they didn't get a responce to the first request for funds I'd say they were blowing smoke trying for a second. Sounds like they are looking for someone to bail them out of all there mismanagement. Infrastructure is going to the dogs,and no its not just the bridge,its a total waste of funds that go for pet projects when the core of major work that should be done sits. I hope the feds tell them NO, and tell them to clean up your own house before asking for a hand out.
Lokalisierung
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 12:51 p.m.
Does anyone know what a "tavel delay" is? And how does that work into a dollars? "I wonder what all of those football fans are going to think of the city when they come back yet another year later to find those same construction barrels still limiting traffic down Stadium." I don't think about football fans coming to the stadium or what they think. They aren't going anywhere.
mdc
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 12:43 p.m.
It seems likely to me that the city has held off on the repair thinking that this is the type of project that could get federal funding. According to the cost-benefit analysis cited in the article, however, over the last year along (I don't remember for how long the bridge has been partially blocked... at least a year now), there has been a $33.16 million loss in "travel delays." Seeing as the project itself is only estimated at $23 million, it probably should have just been done 5 years ago... or at least after the first failed attempt to get federal funding. Overall, it does seem pretty lame that it's been "under construction" for so long now... I wonder what all of those football fans are going to think of the city when they come back yet another year later to find those same construction barrels still limiting traffic down Stadium.
Lokalisierung
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 12:38 p.m.
"Exhausting the entire street repair budget doesn't sound like much of an option." Oh sorry I missed that part of your post. Sure it's not ideal to drain it, but it has to be done if they can't get any other cash. The roads here have always been such a joke we can go a year without fixing any. "The money they blew on the courts building and will blow on a underground parking garage would have repaired the bridge." I personally think a home for the police that keep us safe that isn't decrepid and falling down is more important than 1 bridge, whcih isn't near downtown.
Lokalisierung
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 12:31 p.m.
"I hope the City has a Plan B in case the Feds don't cough up the money." Yes they do, the road repair part of the city budget has enough money in it. But they don't want to drain it if they don't have to.
81wolverine
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 12:28 p.m.
I hope the City has a Plan B in case the Feds don't cough up the money. Having tried for 5 years, they'll need to face the distinct possibility that Ann Arbor WON'T get the money. Exhausting the entire street repair budget doesn't sound like much of an option. I know, maybe if the city applies for 2,000 credit cards with $10,000 lines each, that would be about enough - what do you think?
Bob Dively
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 12:28 p.m.
@scooter dog: The city is not "just now applying for federal funds". The third paragraph of the story explicitly says that the city has been trying to get Federal or state funds for at least five years. This article is about a *new* attempt to get Federal funds.
scooter dog
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 12:16 p.m.
I didn't know that the city spent ANY money on street repair,so why is spending 23 mil a problem? The money they blew on the courts building and will blow on a underground parking garage would have repaired the bridge. This issue has been going on for how many years and they are just now applying for federal funds
Lokalisierung
Wed, Sep 1, 2010 : 11:10 a.m.
Hope we get those Fed dollars! Having said that the bridge doesn't bother me that much...having lived with horrible Michigan roads my whole life.