9/15/14 - Efforts continue to try and preserve an old wooden bridge in the City of Howell that continues to see steady deterioration. The Isbell Street Bridge is a topic that resurfaces from time to time before the Howell City Council but the hands of members are basically tied. The bridge is owned by CSX Corporation and falls under its authority. It would be costly to address all of the structural issues and discussions have most recently centered on trying to gain a historical designation to help the Cityâs push with CSX to preserve the bridge and gain possible tax credits. Staff previously presented options to address questions about the future of the bridge. Howell City Manager Shea Charles says the ultimate direction from Council was to continue work with CSX to try and retain it as a pedestrian crossing while exploring the possibility of gaining federal and state historical designations as an incentive for CSX to make repairs. The Isbell Street bridge remains closed as itâs considered a safety hazard and dangerous to walk on. The bridge is said to be too far gone to make it structurally sound for vehicles in the future and the City has been at an impasse with CSX for a few years. The City has no legal rights other than pressure tactics and incentives to try and get CSX to repair the bridge for pedestrian access but the company has been very non-responsive. Some members want to do everything possible to save the existing bridge while others want to possibly try and trade it for a graded crossing further to the west, meaning CSX could take down the Isbell Street Bridge but install a crossing that would connect to walking and biking trails. (JM)
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