Younes Ishraidi, chief engineer for the public works department, has been involved through the whole project. He said the bridge is 220-foot-long, 10-foot-wide, and it weighs about 167,000 pounds. "It can identify Okemos as a new landmark," Ishraidi siad. 

The essential reason for the establishment of the bridge is safety.  Julie Brixie, meridian township treasurer, said the pathway before had a terrible gap over the river. 

"It has been completely unsafe for people to go south Okemos road," Brixie said. "When they are only a few inches away from moving cars, with nothing between the pedestrian and the cars. It was really really important for us to provide this safe pathway over the river on Okemos road."

"We have folks that rode bikes to MSU," she added. "Right down Mt. Hope Road, which has less traffic than Grand River, and so the bridge makes people easier to do that. "

Tim Potter, sustainable transportation manager at MSU, and also a Meridian Township resident, said the new Pedestrian Pathway Bridge provides biking residents from meridian township a convenient way to go to MSU.  

"I  know there are a lot people living near here," Potter said. "They ride bikes in the winter as well. People do ride from this quarter as well, and go to the university." 

The new bridge is not only more helpful for residents passing the river, but it also helps meridian residents to connect the downtown and neighbors. 

"The residents in the township are proud of the trail system," said Derek Perry "And this is one of the components increases the usage and just make it a better system for everyone to use and enjoy. "