SOUTH HAVEN, MI — Disassembly of the Donald F. Nichols Bridge alongside the Kal-Haven Path in South Haven started with the elimination of its wood cowl on Thursday, Nov. 30.

Salvaged components of the quilt can be saved at Lake Arvesta Farms till the group can resolve what to do with them, stated Tim Novak, state trails coordinator with the Michigan Division of Pure Assets.

The dismantling can be full by the tip of December and a brand new bridge can be put in in February, Novak stated, though the brand new bridge gained’t have a canopy. Nothing will span the river through the winter, so this part of the path can be closed till spring.

Also called the Black River Coated Bridge, the quilt on the bridge was constructed by the Nichols household with the assistance of the South Haven group within the Eighties. It has turn into an area landmark, and was even featured on the quilt of the Pure Michigan Journey Information final fall.

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The DNR has drawn criticism from the group for plans to rebuild the bridge with out a cowl. The bridge wanted to be rebuilt as a result of it couldn’t safely assist the burden of emergency autos, snow grooming autos or snowmobiles.

The alternative is a part of a $6 million American Rescue Plan Act-funded resurfacing undertaking on the Kal-Haven Path.

However the DNR is open to working with the group on a lined bridge cowl answer, Novak stated. Some group members have been pissed off with the choices and time constraints introduced by the DNR.

At this level, a canopy would should be constructed independently of the brand new bridge and be funded by the group. It must be inbuilt a method that helps itself, as the brand new bridge gained’t have the ability to deal with the burden, Novak stated.

The DNR has additionally prompt sculptures made from salvaged supplies, partial covers or a steel cowl.

There aren’t any such plans within the works at the moment, in keeping with South Haven/Van Buren County Guests Bureau Government Director Jennifer Sistrunk.

Hope for a bridge cowl stays, nevertheless, because the guests bureau has $100,000 budgeted for the bridge cowl undertaking, Sistrunk stated final month.

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