About 6,000 vehicles a day will have to find another way to get around the west side of Spring Lake, when Smith’s Bridge is closed indefinitely in the very near future.
The Ferrysburg City Council voted unanimously Monday night to close the West Spring Lake Road bridge, for safety reasons, to motor vehicle traffic. Pedestrian traffic will still be allowed.
Ferrysburg City Manager Craig Bessinger said the closure would happen as soon as signs are made, barricades are ready and notifications have taken place. An exact date was not available.
“It’s disappointing that something so drastic has to happen for people to take notice,” said Ferrysburg Councilmember Kathleen Kennedy, referring to a millage vote to raise funds for the bridge that was previously defeated.
Kennedy emphasized that, in her 10 years on Council, officials have repeatedly applied for grants and looked at many different options to fund bridge repairs or replacement. But the City has not had success.
“The problem is there’s just no money available, period,” said Councilmember Mike DeWitt. “I’ve been on Council 10 years. We’ve exhausted every option.”