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By Carol McGowan
Generations of Summit residents have used the 74th Avenue pedestrian bridge and village officials are now getting ready to replace the aging structure.
Village Engineer Tim Klass from Novotny Engineering recently discussed replacing the bridge with a crowd of about 75 people at a community meeting on May 15 at Graves School.
In question is a steel bridge that’s been used by residents and Graves School students crossing over the Illinois Harbor Belt Railroad tracks by the school.
The bridge is not ADA compliant and has seen better days. “Unfortunately, the bridge has reached the end of its useful structural life and is not ADA compliant. We are looking to change that,” the village says on its website.
Village officials hope the span can be replaced by 2025 and be made ADA compliant at the same time. This will not only be helpful and necessary for those with disabilities, but for bikes and strollers to and from school and for residents to get over easily.
The current bridge would remain until a new one was built.
Klass said it would take $1.7 million to replace the bridge. The village has most of the funding lined up, but is working on a grant to finance the remaining portion of the estimated construction cost so there would be no cost to the village.
Village officials are asking for residents to help by writing letters. There is a sample letter on the village website at https://www.summit-il.org/.
“The Village of Summit is embarking on a grant application to help replace the 74th Ave Pedestrian Bridge and public participation is vital. We need your help and support,” the website says.
