By a narrow 3-2 margin, the Oxford Village Council Aug. 24 approved plans for a pedestrian bridge over M-24 to connect the western and eastern portions of the 12.2-mile Polly Ann Trail.
The plans call for an 1800s railroad-style, double-arched, prefabricated, 100-foot, steel truss bridge for walkers, hikers, and bicyclists to be located on M-24, north of Center and Davison streets and south of Church Street.
According to Bill Conklin, Head of the Design Division for the Road Commission for Oakland County, two 450-foot ramp-like approaches with 4.95 percent gradients will lead to the bridge ‘one on west side near Pleasant Street and one on the east side near Center and Louck streets.
The approaches will be comprised of earth held together by Mechanical Stabilizing Earth retaining walls, while their walking surfaces will be paved with concrete.
Each approach will be 16-feet wide ? 12 feet of which is walkable area with 2-foot shoulders on each side, Conklin said. The bridge itself will be 12-feet wide, all of which is walkable surface, he said.
Between the bottom of the bridge and the road (M-24) will be 18 feet of clearance, according to Conklin. The bridge itself will be 11 feet tall from its base to the highest point of its arch.
Tubular fencing will be used along the sides of the approaches, while black chain-link or mesh fencing will line the sides of the actual bridge.
As evidenced by the vote, council had mixed opinions about the bridge.
‘I think the bridge will be very much used by many, many people in the community,? said village President Renee Donovan, who indicated the structure will be a ‘really good thing? for Oxford and its neighboring communities.
‘I love the way the bridge looks,? said Councilman Dave Bailey, who voted yes despite being in the ‘minority? that disapproves of the bridge and would prefer a push-button traffic signal for pedestrians. ‘It will certainly be a great asset to the community. It will probably take the place of the gazebo in Centennial Park as the Oxford landmark.?
But not everyone on council felt that way.
‘I guess I’m not a bridge person,? said Councilman George Del Vigna, who cast a no-vote. ‘This to me doesn’t look attractive. It looks like a train comes through our city. Personally, I think it’s ugly.?
Councilman Steve Allen cast the other no-vote because of a lack of ‘trust? involving the bridge project’s manager Larry Obrecht, who now heads Oakland County’s Animal Control Division.
‘I don’t have any (trust) right now,? he said.
Allen said every time he tried to obtain some information about the bridge project on his own, he ‘kept running into a cone of secrecy? in which he was told he couldn’t have any information about it and had to go through Obrecht to get it.
Allen said Obrecht set the ‘tone? for the bridge project at the very first meeting about it a few years ago when he stated, ? I don’t even know why we’re getting together. You really don’t have any input on this.?
‘I’m having a difficult time voting in favor of (the bridge),? Allen said. ‘I’m not a 100 percent satisfied and until I am, I can’t vote yes.?
Following the meeting, Allen indicated to this reporter that now that council has formally approved the bridge, he will support the project and continue to support the Polly Ann Trail.
Immediately prior to the Aug. 24 council meeting, the village planning commission met jointly with council members to discuss the bridge and the commission’s Aug. 17 recommendation for council to approve the bridge plans.
Planning Commissioner John DuVal spoke in support of the bridge because it will allow ‘safe passage from one side of the community to the other,? which he described as ‘critical.?
DuVal said ‘historically? M-24 has ‘split? Oxford ‘east side and west side.?
‘If you have young children, you simply do not allow them to cross from one side of M-24 to the other, whether they’re 15 years old or 5 years old,? DuVal said. ‘I think that this bridge has to at least warrant consideration for those reasons alone.?
‘It’s an opportunity that basically doesn’t come along every day,? the planning commissioner said of the bridge.
In order to make the bridge ‘more conducive? to pedestrian traffic in the downtown, DuVal suggested staircases be incorporated into the design,
These stairs would allow pedestrians on sidewalks along M-24 to cross the bridge without having to walk all the way to Pleasant St. or near the intersection of Center and Louck streets ? the western and eastern spots where the ramp-like, concrete approaches leading to the bridge are supposed to begin.
‘I would suggest to you it’s a good idea,? Obrecht said of the stairs. ‘And I’ll attempt to incorporate it. I can’t envision that being very expensive . . . I’ll be pleased to pursue that and see if we can install a staircase.?
Dave Weckle, who sits on the Oxford Community Development Authority board which had input regarding the bridge’s appearance, was complimentary of the bridge rendering presented to officials by Obrecht
‘That pictorial view is very representative of what we (the OCDA) were trying to accomplish,? said Weckle. ‘I think it’s really captured what we tried to achieve.?
‘That’s a very fair representation,? Obrecht said of the rendering.
Although he indicated he’s ‘not a bridge person,? Bailey said, ‘I have no objections to the appearance of the bridge.?
‘I haven’t seen any rendering of the project that turned me off,? the councilman said. ‘I think when people see the finished product, they may find it’s a change on the skyline and they may not like it at first. But give them a year and they’ll love it, in my opinion.?
OCDA member Paul Cervenak said he agrees with Del Vigna and others that ‘there’s no nice-looking bridge.?
‘I’ve never seen one,? he said.
However, Cervenak noted it’s a ‘dilemma? trying to move pedestrian traffic across a four-lane, 80,000-vehicle-per-day state highway.
‘When you’re faced with that dilemma, you really don’t have viable options that are attractive,? he said.
Del Vigna had suggested a traffic light could be used for a pedestrian crossing instead of a bridge.
But Donovan said that option had been ‘explored,? and ‘a light at the fire station is all MDOT would let us have.?
‘They’re not going to let us have a light,? she said.
Besides, Donovan said that she’s ‘watched tandem gravel trucks run red lights.?
‘They don’t slow down going through the village,? she said.
The council president said she received a call from an ‘angry resident? who followed a gravel truck going 47 miles per hour that ‘never slowed down through the village.?
The issue of whether or not horses would be allowed on the pedestrian bridge was also raised by some officials.
‘Horses were never to be allowed across the bridge,? Obrecht said. ‘Never, never was it anticipated that horses would go across the bridge. . .It’s always been said that the Polly Ann would be open to horse traffic, which is different from the Paint Creek (Trail) and some other trails that have certain restrictions when you get into town.?
Councilman Allen had a different recollection.
‘As sure as I’m sitting here, I remember the horses being discussed as being potentially able to use the bridge to cross M-24,? he said.
Bailey said he too remembered ‘a lot of discussion early on about horse traffic across the bridge.?
The councilman said ‘presumably what happened is one side lost the argument,? but there were ‘a lot of people at one time who did anticipate and plan for horses crossing the bridge.?
Obrecht said he’s ‘anxious? and ‘hopeful? to see the bridge built because it, along with the Polly Ann Trail, will be an ‘integral part? of the larger statewide trail system and an ‘economic development boon? to businesses in Oxford.
Oxford Village resident Andrew Lantz submitted a letter to council in support of the bridge that was signed by himself and 14 other residents.
‘We feel that the bridge will enable the village to be a more cohesive community. The people in the village on both sides of M-24 will have access to other residential areas, downtown amenities, businesses, parks and schools. The Polly Ann Trail bridge will provide all of this in a SAFE manor,? the letter stated.
Lantz described himself as a five-year village resident and an ‘avid cyclist? who’s ‘been waiting for this bridge to go through.?
Polly Ann Trail Manager Lois Golden submitted pro-bridge letters to council from residents in Lake Orion, Oakland Township and Almont.
The $1.2 million to $1.3 million bridge is being paid for using a combination of a $1.5 million federal grant and more than $500,000 in private, matching funds. The remainder of the funds not used on the bridge will pay for the resurfacing of the 12.2-mile trail from Indianwood Road to Bordman Road, through Orion, Oxford and Addison townships.
With the exception of one mile of asphalt through Oxford Village and a ?-mile of blacktop in Leonard, the majority of the trail will be resurfaced using an aggregate ? a hard, smooth, fine, crushed-stone surface similar to what’s used on the Paint Creek Trail.
As for when the bridge project will go out for bid (MDOT’s handling that aspect) and exactly when it will be constructed, Obrecht did not respond to this reporter’s questions.
Once completed, Obrecht said the bridge will be owned by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and maintained by the Polly Ann Trail Management Council. He said the village does not have any liability for the bridge.

rated into the design,
These stairs would allow pedestrians on sidewalks along M-24 to cross the bridge without having to walk all the way to Pleasant St. or near the intersection of Center and Louck streets ? the western and eastern spots where the ramp-like, concrete approaches leading to the bridge are supposed to begin.
‘I would suggest to you it’s a good idea,? Obrecht said of the stairs. ‘And I’ll attempt to incorporate it. I can’t envision that being very expensive . . . I’ll be pleased to pursue that and see if we can install a staircase.?
Dave Weckle, who sits on the Oxford Community Development Authority board which had input regarding the bridge’s appearance, was complimentary of the bridge rendering presented to officials by Obrecht
‘That pictorial view is very representative of what we (the OCDA) were trying to accomplish,? said Weckle. ‘I think it’s really captured what we tried to achieve.?
‘That’s a very fair representation,? Obrecht said of the rendering.
Although he indicated he’s ‘not a bridge person,? Bailey said, ‘I have no objections to the appearance of the bridge.?
‘I haven’t seen any rendering of the project that turned me off,? the councilman said. ‘I think when people see the finished product, they may find it’s a change on the skyline and they may not like it at first. But give them a year and they’ll love it, in my opinion.?
OCDA member Paul Cervenak said he agrees with Del Vigna and others that ‘there’s no nice-looking bridge.?
‘I’ve never seen one,? he said.
However, Cervenak noted it’s a ‘dilemma? trying to move pedestrian traffic across a four-lane, 80,000-vehicle-per-day state highway.
‘When you’re faced with that dilemma, you really don’t have viable options that are attractive,? he said.
Del Vigna had suggested a traffic light could be used for a pedestrian crossing instead of a bridge.
But Donovan said that option had been ‘explored,? and ‘a light at the fire station is all MDOT would let us have.?
‘They’re not going to let us have a light,? she said.
Besides, Donovan said that she’s ‘watched tandem gravel trucks run red lights.?
‘They don’t slow down going through the village,? she said.
The council president said she received a call from an ‘angry resident? who followed a gravel truck going 47 miles per hour that ‘never slowed down through the village.?
The issue of whether or not horses would be allowed on the pedestrian bridge was also raised by some officials.
‘Horses were never to be allowed across the bridge,? Obrecht said. ‘Never, never was it anticipated that horses would go across the bridge. . .It’s always been said that the Polly Ann would be open to horse traffic, which is different from the Paint Creek (Trail) and some other trails that have certain restrictions when you get into town.?
Councilman Allen had a different recollection.
‘As sure as I’m sitting here, I remember the horses being discussed as being potentially able to use the bridge to cross M-24,? he said.
Bailey said he too remembered ‘a lot of discussion early on about horse traffic across the bridge.?
The councilman said ‘presumably what happened is one side lost the argument,? but there were ‘a lot of people at one time who did anticipate and plan for horses crossing the bridge.?
Obrecht said he’s ‘anxious? and ‘hopeful? to see the bridge built because it, along with the Polly Ann Trail, will be an ‘integral part? of the larger statewide trail system and an ‘economic development boon? to businesses in Oxford.
Oxford Village resident Andrew Lantz submitted a letter to council in support of the bridge that was signed by himself and 14 other residents.
‘We feel that the bridge will enable the village to be a more cohesive community. The people in the village on both sides of M-24 will have access to other residential areas, downtown amenities, businesses, parks and schools. The Polly Ann Trail bridge will provide all of this in a SAFE manor,? the letter stated.
Lantz described himself as a five-year village resident and an ‘avid cyclist? who’s ‘been waiting for this bridge to go through.?
Polly Ann Trail Manager Lois Golden submitted pro-bridge letters to council from residents in Lake Orion, Oakland Township and Almont.
The $1.2 million to $1.3 million bridge is being paid for using a combination of a $1.5 million federal grant and more than $500,000 in private, matching funds. The remainder of the funds not used on the bridge will pay for the resurfacing of the 12.2-mile trail from Indianwood Road to Bordman Road, through Orion, Oxford and Addison townships.
With the exception of one mile of asphalt through Oxford Village and a ?-mile of blacktop in Leonard, the majority of the trail will be resurfaced using an aggregate ? a hard, smooth, fine, crushed-stone surface similar to what’s used on the Paint Creek Trail.
As for when the bridge project will go out for bid (MDOT’s handling that aspect) and exactly when it will be constructed, Obrecht did not respond to this reporter’s questions.
Once completed, Obrecht said the bridge will be owned by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and maintained by the Polly Ann Trail Management Council. He said the village does not have any liability for the bridge.

Louck streets ? the western and eastern spots where the ramp-like, concrete approaches leading to the bridge are supposed to begin.
‘I would suggest to you it’s a good idea,? Obrecht said of the stairs. ‘And I’ll attempt to incorporate it. I can’t envision that being very expensive . . . I’ll be pleased to pursue that and see if we can install a staircase.?
Dave Weckle, who sits on the Oxford Community Development Authority board which had input regarding the bridge’s appearance, was complimentary of the bridge rendering presented to officials by Obrecht
‘That pictorial view is very representative of what we (the OCDA) were trying to accomplish,? said Weckle. ‘I think it’s really captured what we tried to achieve.?
‘That’s a very fair representation,? Obrecht said of the rendering.
Although he indicated he’s ‘not a bridge person,? Bailey said, ‘I have no objections to the appearance of the bridge.?
‘I haven’t seen any rendering of the project that turned me off,? the councilman said. ‘I think when people see the finished product, they may find it’s a change on the skyline and they may not like it at first. But give them a year and they’ll love it, in my opinion.?
OCDA member Paul Cervenak said he agrees with Del Vigna and others that ‘there’s no nice-looking bridge.?
‘I’ve never seen one,? he said.
However, Cervenak noted it’s a ‘dilemma? trying to move pedestrian traffic across a four-lane, 80,000-vehicle-per-day state highway.
‘When you’re faced with that dilemma, you really don’t have viable options that are attractive,? he said.
Del Vigna had suggested a traffic light could be used for a pedestrian crossing instead of a bridge.
But Donovan said that option had been ‘explored,? and ‘a light at the fire station is all MDOT would let us have.?
‘They’re not going to let us have a light,? she said.
Besides, Donovan said that she’s ‘watched tandem gravel trucks run red lights.?
‘They don’t slow down going through the village,? she said.
The council president said she received a call from an ‘angry resident? who followed a gravel truck going 47 miles per hour that ‘never slowed down through the village.?
The issue of whether or not horses would be allowed on the pedestrian bridge was also raised by some officials.
‘Horses were never to be allowed across the bridge,? Obrecht said. ‘Never, never was it anticipated that horses would go across the bridge. . .It’s always been said that the Polly Ann would be open to horse traffic, which is different from the Paint Creek (Trail) and some other trails that have certain restrictions when you get into town.?
Councilman Allen had a different recollection.
‘As sure as I’m sitting here, I remember the horses being discussed as being potentially able to use the bridge to cross M-24,? he said.
Bailey said he too remembered ‘a lot of discussion early on about horse traffic across the bridge.?
The councilman said ‘presumably what happened is one side lost the argument,? but there were ‘a lot of people at one time who did anticipate and plan for horses crossing the bridge.?
Obrecht said he’s ‘anxious? and ‘hopeful? to see the bridge built because it, along with the Polly Ann Trail, will be an ‘integral part? of the larger statewide trail system and an ‘economic development boon? to businesses in Oxford.
Oxford Village resident Andrew Lantz submitted a letter to council in support of the bridge that was signed by himself and 14 other residents.
‘We feel that the bridge will enable the village to be a more cohesive community. The people in the village on both sides of M-24 will have access to other residential areas, downtown amenities, businesses, parks and schools. The Polly Ann Trail bridge will provide all of this in a SAFE manor,? the letter stated.
Lantz described himself as a five-year village resident and an ‘avid cyclist? who’s ‘been waiting for this bridge to go through.?
Polly Ann Trail Manager Lois Golden submitted pro-bridge letters to council from residents in Lake Orion, Oakland Township and Almont.
The $1.2 million to $1.3 million bridge is being paid for using a combination of a $1.5 million federal grant and more than $500,000 in private, matching funds. The remainder of the funds not used on the bridge will pay for the resurfacing of the 12.2-mile trail from Indianwood Road to Bordman Road, through Orion, Oxford and Addison townships.
With the exception of one mile of asphalt through Oxford Village and a ?-mile of blacktop in Leonard, the majority of the trail will be resurfaced using an aggregate ? a hard, smooth, fine, crushed-stone surface similar to what’s used on the Paint Creek Trail.
As for when the bridge project will go out for bid (MDOT’s handling that aspect) and exactly when it will be constructed, Obrecht did not respond to this reporter’s questions.
Once completed, Obrecht said the bridge will be owned by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and maintained by the Polly Ann Trail Management Council. He said the village does not have any liability for the bridge.

board which had input regarding the bridge’s appearance, was complimentary of the bridge rendering presented to officials by Obrecht
‘That pictorial view is very representative of what we (the OCDA) were trying to accomplish,? said Weckle. ‘I think it’s really captured what we tried to achieve.?
‘That’s a very fair representation,? Obrecht said of the rendering.
Although he indicated he’s ‘not a bridge person,? Bailey said, ‘I have no objections to the appearance of the bridge.?
‘I haven’t seen any rendering of the project that turned me off,? the councilman said. ‘I think when people see the finished product, they may find it’s a change on the skyline and they many not like it at first. But give them a year and they’ll love it, in my opinion.?
OCDA member Paul Cervenak said he agrees with Del Vigna and others that ‘there’s no nice-looking bridge.?
‘I’ve never seen one,? he said.
However, Cervenak noted it’s a ‘dilemma? trying to move pedestrian traffic across a four-lane, 80,000-vehicle-per-day state highway.
‘When you’re faced with that dilemma, you really don’t have viable options that are attractive,? he said.
Del Vigna had suggested a traffic light could be used for a pedestrian crossing instead of a bridge.
But Donovan said that option had been ‘explored,? and ‘a light at the fire station is all MDOT would let us have.?
‘They’re not going to let us have a light,? she said.
Besides, Donovan said that she’s ‘watched tandem gravel trucks run red lights.?
‘They don’t slow down going through the village,? she said.
The council president said she received a call from an ‘angry resident? who followed a gravel truck going 47 miles per hour that ‘never slowed down through the village.?
The issue of whether or not horses would be allowed on the pedestrian bridge was also raised by some officials.
‘Horses were never to be allowed across the bridge,? Obrecht said. ‘Never, never was it anticipated that horses would go across the bridge. . .It’s always been said that the Polly Ann would be open to horse traffic, which is different from the Paint Creek (Trail) and some other trails that have certain restrictions when you get into town.?
Councilman Allen had a different recollection.
‘As sure as I’m sitting here, I remember the horses being discussed as being potentially able to use the bridge to cross M-24,? he said.
Bailey said he too remembered ‘a lot of discussion early on about horse traffic across the bridge.?
The councilman said ‘presumably what happened is one side lost the argument,? but there were ‘a lot of people at one time who did anticipate and plan for horses crossing the bridge.?
Obrecht said he’s ‘anxious? and ‘hopeful? to see the bridge built because it, along with the Polly Ann Trail, will be an ‘integral part? of the larger statewide trail system and an ‘economic development boon? to businesses in Oxford.