COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Coldwater City Council is scheduled to go over preliminary plans for the removal of the Old U.S. 12 Bridge Monday night.
The City Council approved a professional services agreement in September with Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr and Huber to prepare bid documents for the removal of the bridge at a cost not to exceed $16,000.
The same firm inspected the bridge and found it was unsafe. It was closed off to pedestrians in late August.
City Manager Keith Baker says in a memo to the Council for Monday’s meeting that the proposed project includes installing two steel beams underneath the existing water main, attaching the water main to the beams and then cutting away the supports between the bridge and the water main to allow for the removal of the bridge deck.
An engineering consultant for the city estimates it would cost between $300,000 and $350,000 to remove the bridge and secure the water main.
The city plans to advertise for bids for the project with a recommendation for the Council expected to be made in a couple of months.
The current project does not include a foot path over the river. Baker says that will take additional time to design and prepare cost estimates. The city plans to pursue a Michigan Department of Natural Resources grant to help pay for the project.
City staff is recommending the design of a foot path should be pursued, but the City Council will have to decide sometime in the future whether or not to proceed.
