A pedestrian bridge over I-696 that connects Oak Park’s Orthodox Jewish community is getting a makeover as part of the federal government’s effort to remove highways dividing communities.
Driving the news: Oak Park is receiving a $21.7 million grant to reconstruct a crumbling Victoria Park Plaza Bridge over I-696, a trenched highway that bisects the city’s Orthodox Jewish community, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) announced last week.
Why it matters: MDOT wants to remove and replace the deck in order to maintain the connection for the community, as well as an important pedestrian and bicycle route.
Zoom in: I-696 is in Oak Park and has three large bridges, one of which is failing and will be obsolete by 2025. The three bridges were built for easier travel to synagogues for members of the Orthodox Jewish community who don’t drive during the Sabbath.
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Source: MDOT gets $21.7M for Metro Detroit pedestrian bridge reconstruction – Axios Detroit
