Additional Information
For construction updates, visit www.grcity.us
Those traveling through the downtown area may be curious about the fabric surrounding the Blue Bridge, also known as Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad Pedestrian Bridge over the Grand River. The bridge is undergoing reconstruction until the end of August and plans to be complete in time to be a venue for Artprize.
“It was converted from a railroad bridge to a pedestrian bridge in 1987 and then this will be the first time it has been repainted,” says Jeff McCaul, assistant city engineer of the project.
The reconstruction includes concrete repair, expansion joint repair, cleaning and coating of steel and electrical light updates.
“It will stay the original blue. Well, it’s the original blue but it’s faded since it was installed 25 years ago,” says McCaul, “The new blue is a little bit deeper blue.”
Icarus Industrial Painting and Contracting of Indiana will complete all painting of the bridge.
Those visiting the bridge after reconstruction can expect to see an “upgraded lighting system with controls that will be added to the bridge, including overhead color changing LED lights and linear color changing LED flood lights on bridge piers, a cool feature,” says McCaul.
With new installments and a paint job, citizens can expect more events and displays to highlight the pedestrian bridge.
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