A ribbon cutting was held Saturday, May 2, for the new Maple Island Bridge. The new bridge is 200 feet long and was designed by Abonmarche Engineers and built by Riverworks Construction. It replaces a bridge that was built in the 1930s as part of Franklin Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration. The new bridge cost $772,953 to construct, with $300,000 coming from the State of Michigan’s Natural Resources Trust Fund, and $353,000 coming from the federal government’s American Rescue Plan Act. A new boat dock on the island will be donated by Maple Lake Association. Pier spacing and bridge deck was designed to replicate the ‘navigable’ space under the original bridge. Paw Paw Village President Roman Plaszczak cut the ceremonial red ribbon while Paw Paw Boy Scouts were the “first official” walkers across the bride, leading those who attended the event to Maple Isle.
Courier-Leader photos /Paul Garrod
