Why They Should Have Fixed the Okemos Bridge 10 Years Ago

Earlier this week we published a story about the concrete camelback bridge in Okemos. I'm glad they're finally fixing it, but I think it should have happened 10 years ago.

I've lived in Okemos for the past 19 years and I can't tell you how many times I've driven over the camelback bridge. This bridge is really old. In fact it was built back in 1924.

There are three reasons why they should have fixed the camelback bridge 10 years ago:

1. It's too old.

2. It's dangerous.

3. It's too narrow.

We all know it's too old based on the year it was built. It's dangerous because when two cars drive over the bridge at the same time, there's just not enough space between the cars. You almost feel like you're going to side swipe another vehicle.

I used to take my kids to Ferguson park which is directly across from the camelback bridge. My kids loved playing on all of the fun playground toys at Ferguson Park. We drove over this bridge countless times just for that reason alone.

The camelback bridge is one of the last remaining concrete bridges of that style in Michigan according to the Lansing State Journal.

"Kelly Jones, director of engineering for the ICRD, said that the county has repaired the bridge several times but it needed more work." (LSJ)

With that being said, it's time for a new bridge in Okemos. So yes, this old bridge will be torn down as the Ingham County Road Department plans to construct a new bridge on Okemos Road. This is a brilliant decision and we're all looking forward to a safer, much wider bridge in the near future.