By MATT DEYOUNG Grand Haven Tribune(Printed with written permission from the Grand Haven Trbune)
Sep 29, 2021 Updated Nov 6, 2021
The state budget signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesdayincluded some significant news for the city of Ferrysburg.
The budget invests $196 million to repair or replace nearly 100bridges in Michigan that are in serious or critical condition. Of that total, nearly $10 million will go toward the replacement of Smith’s Bridge in Ferrysburg.
“Smith’s Bridge is vital to our community, for commuters, public safety forces and school bus drivers,” said Ferrysburg Mayor Rebecca Hopp. “I appreciate the governor following through on her pledge to commit funds to replace this lifeline and MDOT’s ongoing help and support for our community. The budget delivers on several key issues that matter most to families in Ferrysburg, including child care, health care, skills training and bridges.”
Matthew Chynoweth, chief bridge engineer for the MichiganDepartment of Transportation, confirmed that Smith’s Bridge is among thoseincluded in the state’s Local Agency Bridge Bundling program.
“The current appropriation language notes that we have untilSeptember 2025 to obligate and spend the $196 million appropriation,” Chynowethsaid.
He added that, considering the size of Smith’s Bridge and thecomplexity of the waterway, permitting through the Michigan Department ofEnvironment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) and other agencies will be required.
“We are anticipating the development/design phase to take up totwo years, which is standard for MDOT bridges of this size,” Chynoweth said.“That being said, I would not anticipate construction taking place until 2023,or 2024.”
Hopp has long petitioned for funds to repair or replace Smith’sBridge, which was closed to vehicle traffic in June 2019 due to inspectionsthat revealed structural damage. After further studies were conducted, thebridge was reopened to traffic in January 2020.
The city of Ferrysburg had applied for several grants to pay forbridge repairs over the past several years, but was repeatedly unsuccessful. In2019, the state budget included $13 million toward the replacement of thebridge, but that specific portion of the budget was vetoed prior to signing.
The years of failure made Wednesday’s news all the sweeter.
“This is the leadershipof Ferrysburg working diligently with our leaders in Lansing,” Hopp said. “Wewould have been brushed over like we have been in the past, but we presented onthe grant board, presented our specific needs, and worked closely with the(West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission) in Muskegon. … I alsoworked very closely with MDOT, presented at their boards, and was invited toparticipate in early discussions with MDOT’s bridge building when creating thematrix on how those bridges would be selected.”
Hopp noted that residents expressed frustration over the sixmonths the bridge was closed.
“It created a lot of tension within the community,” she said.“It segmented the community.”
State Sen. Roger Victory, R-Hudsonville, was also instrumentalin helping steer funding toward Smith’s Bridge.
“I am glad to see the funding for the Ferrysburg bridge finallycome through,” he said. “This is an important connection for many of ourresidents who have been more than inconvenienced for way too long. We need toensure that going forward we do a better job of planning for the maintenanceand reconstruction of our local bridges as part of the traditional road fundingmodel. It should not take a crisis to deliver funding for our localinfrastructure.”
