Just about all that is left to do on the Dexter's Main Street Bridge is fasten some handrails and put a bow on it. The village-that-wants-to-be-a-city will soon have a nice new shiny gift from the Washtenaw County Road Commission.

"Everybody seems happy with the way the bridge turned out," says Aaron Berkholz, construction superintendent with the Washtenaw County Road Commission. "It's much better than the dilapidated bridge that had been there."

That bridge had fallen into such disrepair that even its pot holes had pot holes. More importantly, the 100-year-old dam beneath it had stopped functioning as it was intended. The road commission ripped out the dam last year, restoring the tributary of the Huron River to its original state of semi-fast rapids and making way for a new riverside park on the edge of downtown.

Road Commission workers finished up the work this spring. Even grass is growing alongside the new bridge. They expect to wrap up the last detail or two of work in early July, provided the weather cooperates.

The new $2.5 million bridge accommodates both motorized and non-motorized traffic. There are still two-lanes for cars, along with bike lanes and sidewalks for pedestrians.

Source: Aaron Berkholz, construction superintendent with the Washtenaw County Road Commission
Writer: Jon Zemke