Rebuilding The Stadium Bridges

The Congressman And The Mayor

I found these old candid shots of U.S. Rep. John Dingell and Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje from Oct. 18, 2010, when funding was announced for the reconstruction of the East Stadium Boulevard bridge spans in Ann Arbor. Figured I'd post them for posterity.

Super Size Me

Detour routes diverting traffic from State Street and East Stadium Boulevard are now in effect in Ann Arbor, and crews are preparing to demolish the Stadium bridges. But what exactly is it going to take to dismantle two 83-year-old bridge spans made of heavy steel and concrete over the next two weeks? Part of the answer: "Super-sized jackhammers." Read the story.

83-Year-Old Bridge

With sledgehammers in hand, Ann Arbor officials joined U.S. Rep. John Dingell today in taking a ceremonial first whack at the Stadium bridges. The 83-year-old spans over South State Street and the nearby Ann Arbor Railroad tracks will be completely demolished starting next week as part of a $22.8 million project. Dingell said the federal funding almost didn't happen. "We had to yell twice as loud to get this one," he said during today's groundbreaking ceremony. Read the story.

Two For The Money

U.S. Congressman John Dingell, D-Dearborn, and Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje appeared side-by-side today during a press conference in the shadow of the 93-year-old East Stadium Boulevard bridge span over South State Street in Ann Arbor. They celebrated a nearly $14 million federal grant on its way to the city to help reconstruct the bridge and another span over the nearby railroad tracks. "This project sort of hung on the cusp for a while, and it is one of two I'm told that are going to be coming into this state," Dingell said, holding up two fingers to indicate how lucky Ann Arbor was to receive the funding. Read the story here.