East Stadium bridges project to be discussed Wednesday
The East Stadium bridges replacement project has been more than two years in the making. And on Wednesday, residents will have a chance to learn more about the latest plans and ask questions during the first of two planned community forums.
The bridge project has been a hot-button issue since the Ann Arbor City Council laid out plans in August for a $22.1 million reconstruction of the two East Stadium Boulevard bridge spans over South State Street and the nearby railroad tracks.
Last week, the City Council agreed to take emergency action to address safety concerns with the bridge. An engineering firm warned the city last month it's possible - though not likely - "football sized" concrete could fall from the bridge, injuring anyone below.
The city said in its announcement of Wednesday's meeting that planning for the bridge replacement project began in 2007 as part of a larger project. At that time, the city was hoping to reconstruct East Stadium west to South Main Street and install bicycle and
pedestrian improvements on South Main from East Stadium to Ann Arbor-Saline Road.
Since then, the project has been scaled back to include only the replacement of the
bridges and related improvements in the immediately adjacent area, the city said.
The current plan calls for emergency work to take place Nov. 15-17. The City Council agreed to spend up to $100,000 to remove five damaged beams and up to $340,000 to have DTE Energy relocate power lines as part of a bridge replacement project.
The city says Wednesday's meeting will allow residents to learn about the project, ask questions and provide input on "options for the visual character of project design elements."
The meeting will take place from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Pioneer High School Cafeteria.
A second meeting is planned for Tuesday, Dec. 1, and will focus on progress and the next steps for the project.
On Friday, U.S. Congressman John Dingell released a statement on his efforts to seek funding for the East Stadium bridge project in the 2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill, as well as the upcoming Surface Transportation Authorization Act.
AnnArbor.com will be at Wednesday's meeting. Check our government page that night for coverage.
Comments
zags
Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 5:35 p.m.
An at grade crossing has about as much chance of happening as Argo dam does being removed.
Sandra Samons
Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 11:26 a.m.
I am weary from the City Council telling, not asking, the citizens what they should and will do. It is irresponsible that the Staduim bridges have reached the point where emergancy action is required, while other pet projects have gone forward. Plant your feet on the ground, council members, and get your priorities in order. Sandra Samons
48104
Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 9:31 a.m.
I believe there has been a study of the possibility and the traffic volume is too high for an at-grade crossing.
treetowncartel
Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 9:09 a.m.
Once this gets underway there is going to be some serious whining from the students that are impacted getting out to the tennis building, as well as the soccer and lacrosse players who wil be inundated with the noise and dust.
Thick Candy Shell
Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 8:57 a.m.
It matters because they own it, we do not. In addition, there is a very strong push to eliminate grade crossings across the Nation. The addition of a crossing would be almost impossible to get approved even if the AARR would agree. They currently run 2 to 4 trains per day, but that could very easily increase in the future. As a side note, I can remember S. State St. crossing having to be repaired at least 3 times in the last 20 years. That can not be cheap.
Arboriginal
Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 8:50 a.m.
Time for the bridge to go.
Thick Candy Shell
Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 8:36 a.m.
I really wish people would stop suggesting a at grade crossing. It is just not going to happen. The Ann Arbor Railroad owns the track Right of Way and would never agree to anything that could be a problem for them. In addition, when the bridge was originally built by MDOT (it was the trunkline at the time) it was agreed that it would be maintained as a bridge.
Concerned
Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 6:34 a.m.
Why do the bridges have to be replaced? It would be a lot less expensive (probably half the cost) to go without the bridges and make Stadium a surface street. The railroad is not an issue (look at the State street area). Cost cutting should be part of the repair especially in these economic conditions.
HappySenior
Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 5:54 a.m.
Oh my. Here comes Democrat Dingell. Do you suppose the Democrats are holding on to 88% of the Recovery money with plans to dole it out for the political gain of the Democrats seeking re-election? I heard the President talk about "shovel ready" projects. Now I wonder what it is he's shoveling.
Ruth
Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 5:47 a.m.
I hope "scaled back" does not mean the elimination of enough spaces for sidewalks and bike paths on both sides of the replacements bridges. This very busy area of the city is long overdue for safe, non-auto transportation improvements.