GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Today, U.S. Representative Hillary Scholten (MI-03) announced an $11.7M federal investment for the City of Ferrysburg’s “Smith’s Bayou Bridge” through the DOT’s Federal Highway Administration. The bridge has been closed since the city council voted to close it in 2019 due to safety concerns. It was the only West Michigan project awarded funding from the $34.2M Federal Highway Administration grant to Michigan and received the highest amount of project funding in the state, by more than double.
“For five years, the city of Ferrysburg has been struggling without a critical piece of infrastructure. The price tag to fix the superstructure the right way, is simply too large for a local community to carry on its own–it’s up to state and federal partners to prioritize these types of projects, and that’s exactly what I did,” said Congresswoman Scholten. “I have tirelessly advocated for this federal assistance and I am thrilled that help is finally on the way, to ensure the safety and economic prosperity not only for Ferrysburg and the tri-cities region, but the entire West Michigan economy. Fortifying our bridges is one way to build a better, safer future for the next generation of Michiganders.”
“Smith’s Bridge is a transportation asset not only for the City of Ferrysburg but for the West Michigan region,” said Ferrysburg Mayor Richard Carlson. “We give thanks to Congresswoman Scholten, US DOT, MDOT, and all those involved in securing this solution.”
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