Oak Park Gets Federal “Connecting Communities” Grant to Reconstruct Walking Bridge Over I-696

OAK PARK, MI – U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (MI) and Gary Peters (MI) today announced that the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) will be awarding the Michigan Department of Transportation $21,704,970 to reconstruct a walking bridge over Interstate 696 that connects a Jewish neighborhood in Oak Park. Interstate 696 divides the community in Oak Park into two halves, and many residents rely on the walking bridge to get to where they need to go. The current walking bridge is over 40 years old and at end of its useful life.

This award is administered through DOT’s Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program. This funding comes from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which Senators Stabenow and Peters helped enact into law in November 2021.

“This project will continue to unite a vital neighborhood and ensure the safety of drivers and Oak Park residents,” said Senator Stabenow. “This funding is another critical infrastructure investment coming to our state.”

“I was pleased to help secure this funding to reconstruct the park plaza over I-696 in Oak Park,” said Senator Peters. “This critical project will not only improve safety for drivers but keep in-tact a vital public route that is central to families, businesses, and centers of worship throughout the community.”