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Sturgeon Bay's Michigan Street Steel Bridge Reopens
By Steve Allen
Jan 4, 2011 - 6:00:00 AM
Sturgeon Bay's Michigan
Street Steel Bridge, aka "Steely", opened to traffic Monday, January 3
after undergoing a two-year period of structural and mechanical rehab.
It will close temporarily in Spring, 2011 for painting ... in a
historically accurate silver color. A celebration and parade is being
planned for its permanent re-opening. The bridge is 80 years old and is a
Door County icon.
With little hoopla but with a handful of enthusiastic fans, Steely became a working vehicular and pedestrian bridge again for the first time in
many many long months. Christie Weber, of the local advocacy group Citizens for our Bridge, moved the first "Bridge Out" barricade aside as a city plow and salt truck cleared light snow from the anxiously awaiting structure. "This just shows what great things can happen when a community works together", said Christy, known as Sturgeon Bay's "Bridge Lady".
A handful of motor vehicles and one bicycle were first over the bridge, leaving from the also historic Holiday Motel, whose owners and friends were instrumental in paving the way for Steely's long-term survival. While the city and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation downplayed the event, friends of the bridge, which have their own Facebook page, promoted the happening, rallying any available troops for "One Big Honkin' Parade" ... a sort of Open Mic opportunity for people and vehicles to do a beeping shoutout to a Door County icon. The bridge, now 80 years old, is a symbol of the city's rich historic past and a wonderful connection to the area's future, according to its cheering fans. The music analogy is important since Steely is home and anchor to Sturgeon Bay's Annual Steel Bridge Songfest.
The bridge will close again, but only temporarily, this coming spring. The daunting task of painting the bridge was started this fall but suspended for winter. When finished, Steely will gleam silver, the historically accurate color of bridges of the period. A celebration and parade is being planned for either Memorial Day weekend or as part of the Seventh Annual Steel Bridge Songfest in June, 2011. Since Steely really loves vehicles the most, there will be an effort to showcase both classic cars and brand new cars, symbolizing the long history and nostalgia of the bridge and its shiny future.
Following laps across the bridge, the hearty bridge-openers retreated to the Holiday Motel for coffee, cocoa, donuts, and the lighting of a "re-birthday" cake for Steely.
Check back on this website for details about the spring grand re-opening celebration and parade across Sturgeon Bay's shining gem ... The Michigan Street Steel Bridge!
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