By James Johnson The Cody Connection
Cody DIT senior Brian James was on his way to school Sept. 26, 2014 when he was forced to take a detour. As he crossed over the Southfield Fwy. on W. Chicago, James took a photo of the Cathedral St. pedestrian bridge he usually used to get to school.
“It was a mess,” James said. “I didn’t know what happened.”
A few hours earlier, the bridge collapsed after it was hit by a waste hauler with its boom extended.
After the old bridge collapsed, many students were forced to find longer routes to school. Many were glad to see the new and improved Cathedral Street pedestrian bridge open Nov. 18 with decorative accents, lights, and new fences.
According to the Michigan Department of Transportation, construction took four months and was paid for with nearly $2.9 million in emergency funds from the federal government.
Cody DIT freshman DaVaughn Smith uses the bridge when he stays with his uncle. He said he’s glad the old bridge fell.
“It felt wobbly and it had holes in it. I felt like I could fall straight through,” said Smith. “The new one looks beautiful and feels stable. It’s an improvement to the environment.”
James agrees.
“The new bridge is cold,” James said.
