Work crews are putting the final pieces into place for the Heritage Bridge in Ypsilanti, but the new pedestrian bridge is better seen as the final piece of a comprehensive parks system that is raising the quality of life in the city.
The Heritage Bridge will span the Huron River, connecting Riverside Park and Water Street. More importantly the bridge will serve as the last major connector in Ypsilanti piece of the
Border to Border Trail, a major trail system spanning the width of Washtenaw County. The Heritage Bridge will also serve as the last pedestrian connector for all of the city’s public parks.
"When people choose a place to live and do business, they want it to be attractive," says Beth Ernat, economic development director for the city of Ypsilanti. "This is one of our big amenities for our community."
The $1.2 million project is all but done. The main infrastructure of the bridge is finished with working crews spending the next couple of weeks working on the details of the project, such as installing handrails and signage. When it's all said and done it will be a barrier-free avenue for pedestrians, along with the rest of the trails and parks in the city.
"We are probably within a month of completing it for the year," Ernat says.
She expects people to be able to walk on it by December, and a grand opening for it to be held in the spring.
Source: Beth Ernat, economic development director for the city of Ypsilanti
Writer: Jon Zemke
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