By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
An area lawmaker is looking into whether the state can help fund construction of a pedestrian bridge over Business Loop Interstate 196, connecting the city of Zeeland with Zeeland Township.
At the request of the city, State Rep. Brad Slagh said he will pursue funding for the project, which has been on the drawing board for several years, through a process where the state Legislature can direct funding toward a local project. A House committee reviews funding applications of this type, Slagh said.
“I don’t have a clue whether we’ll qualify or not, but I thought we ought to be trying to help make sure that if it’s possible, we find some funding to make that happen,” Slagh said.
A 2023 study by CDM Smith for the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council called for construction of a pedestrian bridge at one of two potential locations – either 92nd Avenue/Maple Street or Van Hill Drive. The study put an estimated cost for the project at $7.3 million to $11.6 million, depending on where the bridge was located.
The city has identified a pedestrian bridge over BL-196 as a priority in its strategic action plan for several years. The city has set aside $1 million for the project, but efforts to generate additional funding through grants have not been successful, Assistant City Manager Kevin Plockmeyer said.
“We continue to apply for grants where we feel we can be competitive, but we are not making plans to pursue the project without grant funding at this point in time,” Plockmeyer said.
The Zeeland Township Board on Feb. 17 unanimously reaffirmed its support for the pedestrian bridge. Township Manager Josh Eggleston brought the issue up since several new members have recently joined the board.
“It’s been a long (standing) desire, I think, for safety purposes to get across the business loop,” Township Treasurer Melissa Veldheer said.
“Once you get out talking with people (in the community), that is a big ask … I do think there’s value in continuing that conversation, assuming we can get some assistance, state or federally,” Township Supervisor Kerri Bosma said.
The township has not yet committed any funds toward a pedestrian bridge.
Slagh said that the Michigan Department of Transportation would have to be involved at some point on any project because of its restrictions on the road itself.
Zeeland Record
An area lawmaker is looking into whether the state can help fund construction of a pedestrian bridge over Business Loop Interstate 196, connecting the city of Zeeland with Zeeland Township.
At the request of the city, State Rep. Brad Slagh said he will pursue funding for the project, which has been on the drawing board for several years, through a process where the state Legislature can direct funding toward a local project. A House committee reviews funding applications of this type, Slagh said.
“I don’t have a clue whether we’ll qualify or not, but I thought we ought to be trying to help make sure that if it’s possible, we find some funding to make that happen,” Slagh said.
A 2023 study by CDM Smith for the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council called for construction of a pedestrian bridge at one of two potential locations – either 92nd Avenue/Maple Street or Van Hill Drive. The study put an estimated cost for the project at $7.3 million to $11.6 million, depending on where the bridge was located.
The city has identified a pedestrian bridge over BL-196 as a priority in its strategic action plan for several years. The city has set aside $1 million for the project, but efforts to generate additional funding through grants have not been successful, Assistant City Manager Kevin Plockmeyer said.
“We continue to apply for grants where we feel we can be competitive, but we are not making plans to pursue the project without grant funding at this point in time,” Plockmeyer said.
The Zeeland Township Board on Feb. 17 unanimously reaffirmed its support for the pedestrian bridge. Township Manager Josh Eggleston brought the issue up since several new members have recently joined the board.
“It’s been a long (standing) desire, I think, for safety purposes to get across the business loop,” Township Treasurer Melissa Veldheer said.
“Once you get out talking with people (in the community), that is a big ask … I do think there’s value in continuing that conversation, assuming we can get some assistance, state or federally,” Township Supervisor Kerri Bosma said.
The township has not yet committed any funds toward a pedestrian bridge.
Slagh said that the Michigan Department of Transportation would have to be involved at some point on any project because of its restrictions on the road itself.
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