Dexter Main Street Bridge Rededication

Posted by K. Kohtz on July 22, 2009

On July 31, 2009, the Washtenaw County Board of Road Commissioners and Village of Dexter will host an official “Rededication Ceremony” where local dignitaries, the Road Commission and Village staff, friends, and neighbors will gather to officially rededicate the Dexter Main Street Bridge into service for the Washtenaw County community.

In 2005, the Road Commission was awarded a grant through the Local Bridge Program (LBP), administered by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to replace the 75-year-old deteriorating Dexter Main Street Bridge, remove the existing Mill Creek Dam, and cover additional costs for design, inspections, local match requirements, and sediment remediation.

Construction activities began on the Dexter Main Street Bridge and Mill Creek Dam removal projects in the spring, 2008, and now draw to a successful completion.  The expanded, concrete three-lane bridge and accompanying dam removal prepare the way for regional growth and revitalization of Dexter Village and the Mill Creek riverbed.

Village of Dexter President, Shawn Keough recognizes the vision and energy of those involved in the project, “Once state funding was found through the critical bridge program (now the LBP), the Village stepped up to provide the necessary financial support required for the Road Commission to complete design and construction of the new bridge that we can both drive and walk safely over…The river that once flowed freely through this area flows strongly once again and is quickly making a name for itself in the kayaking and canoeing communities”.
source: The Dexter Leader, July 9, 2009

“A special acknowledgment goes out to Aaron Berkholz, Project Manager, and the rest of our staff who diligently worked to ensure the successful completion of this critical bridge project”, states Steven Puuri, Managing Director of the Washtenaw County Road Commission. “But our sincere thanks and appreciation must be given to the area residents, business owners, and Village of Dexter officials, who maintained a positive and cooperative spirit as we worked through this very challenging project. Were it not for the financial support and commitment from MDOT and the Village, the Road Commission could not have successfully completed the project, while maintaining our required safety standards.”

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Rededication Ceremony
Hosted by the Washtenaw County Road Commission and Village of Dexter

When: Friday, July 31, 2009. 6:00 p.m.
(Ribbon cutting promptly at 5:45 p.m.)
Where: Warrior Creek Park

~ Refreshments donated by local merchants ~