Construction on pedestrian walkways over M-53 at 21 Mile and 22 Mile roads in Shelby Township is expected to be completed this fall. Source photo by Chris Williams

Construction on the bridges, which span M-53 at 21 Mile and 22 Mile roads, began earlier this summer. The $2.7 million project, which is being funded by monies from the township’s bridges and sidewalks fund, and a grant from the Michigan Department of Transportation, was approved last August.

Trustee Lisa Manzella, a member of the township’s Sidewalk Committee, said the bridges are a necessity for those on the community’s east side who want to walk or bicycle to the parks and trails on the other side of the township.

“The Sidewalk Committee has been working on this for about 12 years. About 10 years ago, we put one (walkway) under the 24 Mile Road (bridge) and it worked really well,” Manzella said. “The reason it’s so important is that when the highway came in, it basically divided the township. All the parks are on the west side and so those of us who live on the east side, east of Schoenherr, basically have to drive to the parks or walk on those unsafe bridges.”

The current overpasses contain a 24-inch width for pedestrians to walk on when crossing over the highway. Plans to install mandatory guardrails along the walkway would have further limited the amount of access for pedestrians and cyclists, forcing them closer to a busy roadway with limited visibility.

“Last year I just became even more aware of how serious this problem was because some of the local high schools, their track teams run over that road. They run right on the road and that’s really dangerous,” Manzella said. “We’ve had several incidents out there and it’s just a very dangerous place to walk or ride a bike.”

Township Supervisor Ralph Maccarone said the large amount of amenities for pedestrians on the west side of the township was a draw for people from throughout the area, making a safe location to cross a necessity.

“We have major developments on both sides of the freeway, and we really wanted to provide some access to the parks and trail system we have out there,” said Maccarone.

In 2004, the township adopted a resolution to design and construct walkways by 2006 at a cost of $750,000, with the rest to be supplied by grants. Escalating construction costs caused the project to be postponed.

MDOT offered to assist with the construction costs and last August the board approved plans to move forward with the project, using $1,187,500 from MDOT, and supplying the rest from bridge and highway funds.

“With the 5-year deadline closing in for the guardrails, we really had to move and get this approved,” said Maccarone. “We really had a concern because there were no plans on the books to update the walkways or bridges.”

The project was originally slated to be completed in mid-August, Maccarone said. However, minor delays have pushed the completion back to this fall, although Maccarone said he is confident the project will be completed before the end of October. After the bridges are completed, crews will begin creating the sidewalks for pedestrians to safely pass.

“I’m really excited about it. It’s been amazing to watch and I can’t wait,” said Manzella. “I’ll ride my bike right over it.”