For nearly two decades, the City of Walker faced the challenge of replacing and widening the Walker Avenue bridge over the Coopersville & Marne Railway. The aging concrete box beam bridge had become a critical bottleneck, with its weight restrictions making maintenance increasingly costly and replacement estimates soaring to nearly $6 million.
The bridge’s limitations extended beyond infrastructure issues; it also hindered BISSELL’s expansion plans and created significant safety hazards for vehicles, particularly semi-trucks navigating the narrow, unsafe bridge.
To address these issues, Walker devised a bold and innovative solution: removing the bridge entirely and converting the road to an at-grade crossing. This involved raising the rail grade and lowering the road grade to improve sight distance and eliminate the need for future bridge inspections and maintenance. Additionally, an overhead signal was installed to further enhance safety.
This comprehensive approach not only resolved the immediate safety concerns but also paved the way for new growth and development in the area. The project’s success enabled BISSELL to invest $6.3 million into their facility, leading to the creation of 99 new jobs. What began as a challenging infrastructure problem transformed into a catalyst for revitalization, turning the area into a safer, more accessible, and prosperous corridor for the community and businesses alike.