MDOT hosts animation workshop, design competition for Eight Mile bridge

MDOT is working with local communities and stakeholders to rehabilitate the Woodward and Eight Mile intersection, which is eligible to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The rehabilitation of the bridge would be preferred over reconfiguration of the intersection, MDOT says.

The goal of the rehabilitation is to enhance the intersection’s physical setting and preserve scenic, historic and environmental resources, while maintaining safety and mobility. This will be done in a context that is sensitive to the needs and desires of the surrounding communities and stakeholders. 

“We want to create the safest intersection possible, while working with the State Historic Preservation Office to respect its historic nature and provide aesthetics that tie all the pieces together,” says Sue Datta, project manager for MDOT.

On Nov. 29, MDOT will be hosting a solutions animation workshop that will allow participants to create their own computer-generated visions by applying aesthetic treatments to the intersection. These will provide MDOT with insights into community trends and preferences, and can be taken into consideration for the final design.

MDOT is also sponsoring a professional design competition. The winning design will be incorporated into the rehabilitation project and could include aesthetic treatments such as the replacement of light fixtures and poles, adding color concrete to sidewalk surfaces and/or crosswalks, adding art panels to the bridge with a transportation theme, and other landscaping and streetscape enhancements.

A winner will be chosen in Feb. of 2006. Rehabilitation is expected to begin next fall and continue to the summer of 2007.

For more information visit http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,1607,7-151-9621_11058_25829—,00.html

Source: Sue Datta, project manager for MDOT