Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure Bridges topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
After engineering concerns about Trestle Trail Bridge, Allegan council commits match to apply for MDOT local bridge funding for 2nd Street Bridge
Summary
Council reviewed engineering reports confirming structural concerns with the Trestle Trail (Chestnut) Bridge and adopted Resolution 25-11 to apply for MDOT local bridge funds for rehabilitation of the 2nd Street Bridge, committing a future $225,000 match.
City of Allegan — Council spent significant time reviewing two engineering reports on the closed Trestle Trail (Chestnut) Bridge, discussing deterioration of pilings and limits on load capacity, and then considered a separate but related infrastructure action: adoption of Resolution 25-11 to pursue Michigan Department of Transportation local bridge funding for the rehabilitation of the upper portion of the historic 2nd Street Bridge.
Staff recounted the bridge history and prior inspections, noting the Trestle Trail Bridge was closed in May 2022 after an engineer’s report concluded the structure could support no more than roughly 500 pounds and recommending it remain closed. Joel summarized multiple cost estimates for a replacement: manufacturer Bridge Brothers provided a structural estimate for a 12-foot-by-75-foot pedestrian bridge and construction estimates elsewhere ranged into the high hundreds of thousands; staff noted total project cost estimates in staff materials and explained removal, site prep, foundations and inflation could push costs well beyond the manufacturing quote.
On the 2nd Street Bridge, staff said the construction estimate increased to about $1.2 million and recommended setting aside $225,000 (17.5% match) in a future budget to qualify for MDOT local bridge funding. "We're recommending that we set aside $225,000 which equates to a 17.5% match to see if we can get funding," Joel said. Council voted to adopt Resolution 25-11 to support the application and the future match commitment.
Council discussed whether a future replacement should be designed only for pedestrians or to accommodate off-road vehicles and golf carts; staff emphasized removal and replacement costs and the effect of river debris on pilings when considering piled vs. clear-span designs.
What’s next: Staff will seek additional cost estimates and (if funding is awarded) follow standard bidding and engineering procurement processes; the match commitment was recorded to support the MDOT local bridge grant application.
