Development News

Ann Arbor moves forward on East Stadium bridge replacement

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

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Ann Arbor

The East Stadium Boulevard bridges near Michigan Stadium are about to undergo a transformation that will eventually lead to their replacement within the next couple years.

The 92-year-old bridges have begun to fail, prompting city officials to begin removing and replacing structures that normally have a 75-year lifespan. The bridges span State Street and a railroad line. The City Council recently authorized the removal of five of the 16 concrete beams after one began failing earlier this year.

"This particular beam went from bad to worse in the last winter because of the freeze-thaw cycle," says Homayoon Pirooz, a project manager with the city of Ann Arbor, adding that the city will be removing the first four beams rather than just taking out beam No. 5.

After that job is completed in mid November, the city expect to finalize replacement plans. A full replacement of the bridges is expected to take place next year. The federal and state government is expected to cover $21 million of the project's $23 million price tag.

Current plans call for more pedestrian-friendly bridges with aesthetic touches like historic lamp posts, benches and other accoutrements. Electrical lines will also be buried underground. The upgrades will be similar to what the Broadway bridges on the north side of the city underwent a few years ago.

"We do have a design that we have fine tuned in the last several months," Pirooz says.

The city will hold a public meeting highlighting these designs between 6:30-9 p.m. today at Pioneer High School.

Source: Homayoon Pirooz, a project manager with the city of Ann Arbor
Writer: Jon Zemke