COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Coldwater City Council members told City Manager Keith Baker Monday night to set up a Council meeting with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) so they can question them about improving pedestrian safety on the west side of the city.
Baker was seeking guidance from the Council on whether or not to pursue the installation of a pedestrian bridge which would replace the old US 12 bridge. The nearly 100 year old bridge which spanned the Coldwater River was removed last April after it was determined by engineers it was unsafe for pedestrians.
Meanwhile, the westbound side of US 12 leading to the bridge have been narrowed by MDOT to one lane which gave pedestrians a wider shoulder on the north side. But Mayor Tom Kramer said they tried to get MDOT to put in a sidewalk on the north side with some temporary barriers similar to what’s on the south side. Improvements to the bridge itself are not scheduled for at least three years and with the speeds in the area, MDOT is not willing to make any temporary changes to the bridge.
Baker says the cost of a new pedestrian bridge as it stands now would be between $190,000 and $240,000 which would not include any contingency reserves. He estimated it would be at least a year before a bridge can be built if the city pursues it.