September
13, 2009 opened a new chapter and marked a new beginning for
the historic East Delhi Bridge.
The Rededication event, which celebrated the efforts of an entire
community to save a beautiful and historic bridge, was hosted by
the Washtenaw County Road Commission and Citizens
for the East Delhi Bridge Conservancy. That evening, an
enthusiastic gathering of area citizens, local officials, Road
Commission staff, and Delhi Bridge Conservancy members greeted one
another and enjoyed a close-up tour of the nineteenth century
Pratt truss bridge.
The event began with a celebratory pot-luck dinner at Delhi MetroPark, adjacent to the bridge. Countless organizations / officials participated by providing refreshments, entertainment, and equipment. The Rededication ceremony followed with introductions, expressions of gratitude from Road Commission staff and local officials, and concluded with the official ribbon cutting. The bridge was closed to vehicular traffic, allowing hikers, cyclists, and photographers the opportunity to gather leisurely on the newly restored bridge and enjoy a taste of history.
The (about) 120-year-old East Delhi Bridge, originally erected in the village of Delhi Mills, was closed in 2005 due to severe deterioration. Rehabilitation work began in summer 2008, and that August, cranes hoisted the Delhi Bridge truss off its old abutments and set it to the northeast side of the Huron River for repair and repainting. Workers began the installation of new abutments on both sides of the river. Triumphantly, in July 2009, the reverse process was used as cranes settled the repaired truss onto its new abutments. The one-lane bridge was reopened to vehicular traffic in August 2009 and now has traffic lights controlling how vehicles can cross the river.
Construction cost to rehabilitate the bridge totaled $1.2 million; plus an additional $60,000 for preliminary design and engineering, and $120,000 for materials testing, inspection, and fees. The Michigan Department of Transportation's Local Bridge Program (LBP) covered 95% of the $1.2 million construction costs. The remaining 5% was covered by the Washtenaw County Road Commission, Citizens for the East Delhi Bridge Conservancy, the Huron Clinton Metropark Authority, and Scio Township. Delhi Mills residents agreed to cover the cost of bridge maintenance with a special assessment tax.
A group of concerned citizens who understood the benefits a beautiful and historic truss bridge has to offer a community, worked successfully to save the bridge and see it rehabilitated. The Citizens for the East Delhi Bridge Conservancy created a Mission Statement: “We resolve to: Preserve the aesthetics of the historical East Delhi Bridge by maintaining its original one-lane design, retaining its classic trestle structure, and recognizing it as a Historic Landmark.” Conservancy member, Rich Cook remarks, “I’m glad the bridge will be here for our children; it’s a real landmark for the area.”
Three local officials also played a critical role in restoring
the East Delhi Bridge. Kelly Jones, a Bridge Engineer with
the WCRC; Roy Townsend, Director of Engineering and County Highway Engineer; and Richard Cook; a scientist with
the Environmental Protection Agency office in Ann Arbor; worked
cooperatively as a team and with local agencies and citizens to see the
East Delhi Bridge declared a local historic district in 2007, affording it added
protection. MDOT Local Bridge funds were used to help
restore the bridge rather than replace it. Roy Townsend
concludes, “I’m excited it’s finally open after working for
four years with the community to rehabilitate the bridge.”
Kelly Jones resounds, “Without the efforts of local
residents, this bridge would have remained closed or been replaced
with another style of bridge. I’m happy to have been a part
of the project from conception to completion.”
Rededication Program
Introduction
David E. Rutledge, Chair
Washtenaw
County Board of Road Commissioners
Special Acknowledgments
Pam Byrnes, State Representative
Michigan House of Representatives
Mark Ouimet, Vice-Chair
Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners
Kenneth Schwartz, Vice-Chair
Washtenaw
County Board Working Session
Steven M. Puuri, Managing Director
Washtenaw County Road Commission
Richard Cook
Citizens for the East Delhi Bridge Conservancy
George Schimmel
Citizens for the East Delhi Bridge Conservancy
RIBBON CUTTING
Rededication Photo Gallery »
Watch
Delhi Bridge Reinstallation YouTube video, July 2009.
