The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
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Judd Road Bridge opens after improvements
Residents contribute ideas for design, yet some think process flawed
By Sue G. Collins, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: May 24, 2007
Officials and neighbors lined up on the newly paved bridge to help cut a red ribbon while Washtenaw County Road Commission Managing Director Steve Puuri thanked them for cooperating on the project, which cost $2.1 million.
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Puuri said a federal grant covered about $1.3 million of the bill, while state and local road funds contributed to the balance.
"I think we will all learn to appreciate the long-term service this bridge will pay to the community and to the railroad. It's a unique, curved design that resulted from residents' input and township cooperation," Puuri said.
The old one-way bridge had sight and weight restrictions, and the Ann Arbor Railroad needed a bridge with higher clearance to allow more trains through to support the industry and growth, Puuri said.
Nearly a year ago, the old bridge on Judd Road, just west of Platt Road in York Township, was closed and removed to make way for the construction, foundation and landscaping for a new pre-cast concrete bridge. While neighbors had already expressed their distaste for the project, officials said the old one-lane bridge was unsafe for drivers and it didn't meet state railroad code requirements for clearance.
At the request of York Township, and with the approval of the Road Commission Board, the original bridge was marked, disassembled and transported to Sandra Richardson Park on Platt Road, just one mile down the road.
There, said Township Supervisor Joe Zurawski, it will be placed along the wilderness trail, "for all to enjoy, for many years to come."
He said the alternative was to let the timber bridge be hauled to the dump.
Next, after further conversations with the community, bridge planners changed the design from a concrete box and beam, a bland rectangular design with further physical impact on adjacent properties, to an arching concrete structure embellished with a stone-textured face that will be colored to blend in with the surroundings.
Aaron Berkholz was the construction supervisor and spent seven of his 10 years with the Road Commission on the project.
"We made many compromises to get to this design that is visually more appealing and has less physical impact on the surrounding properties," he said at the dedication ceremony.
Still, some neighbors felt the process was flawed though respect the outcome. Karen and Ron Yahr live in Timber Ridge, the subdivision just east of the site, off Judd Road. The road isn't paved, except for the stretch along the bridge.
"We were very frustrated and felt we did not have a voice at all at the local level," said Karen Yahr. "I teach fourth-graders that it's possible to make a difference where you live, and now I don't know if I'll be able to honestly say that any longer."
The Yahrs did comment, however, on how "lovely" the bridge turned out and stopped to pose with their elected officials and project staff for a picture on the new bridge.
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