WYOMING, Mich. — The City of Wyoming is set to build a new pedestrian bridge to improve the area.
The bridge over 28th Street in Wyoming, set for groundbreaking in early 2024, is one that Nicole Hofert, the city's community and economic development director, said could mean big things as the Michigan Department of Transportation currently reviews the plans and as crews begin electrical work to bury lines and make way for the new addition.
"So, you know, right now, when you drive along 28th Street, you're focused on just driving along 28th Street," Hofert said. "But with this bridge coming up, it's going to add some beauty to the area [and] really kind of be the hallmark to say, 'Hey, this is Wyoming City Center.'"
With the number of accidents that happen on this busy stretch of road - more than 2,300 on 28th Street between Burlingame Avenue and US-131 in the last 10 years, according to the city - it's also aimed at making the city safer for its residents.
"In any given year, 28th Street consistently ranks among one of the most dangerous intersections or corridors in our community," Hofert said. "And so, to be able to provide the safe, elevated crossing was a goal that we hope to achieve."
The bridge is part of a larger, roughly $36 million city center project made possible in part through $20 million given by the state in its budget passed this summer. Alongside the bridge, the project includes things like trails, streetscaping and designing.
The new opportunities through the project are ones officials hope will elevate not only pedestrians, but the city itself.
'This bridge is really part of a much larger effort, right," Hofert said. "So, you know, for almost two decades, we have been talking about creating a downtown for Wyoming, and so this bridge is now just a component of that."
Altogether, the larger City Center project that includes the bridge is expected to be completed in mid-2025.
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