Reconstruction work began on the 770 foot safety path bridge over the wetlands on the north side of Drahner Rd. between Pontiac Rd. and Pinecrest Apartments on Jan. 27. Joists, decking and railing will all be replaced due to corrosion and wood rot. The boardwalk will be closed for two months.
The Oxford Township Board of Trustees voted 7-0 to approve the $175,000 project at its December 2019 meeting.
First built in 2009 with federal Community Block Grant Development funds totaling $570,000, the boardwalk now needs repair thanks to poor materials and construction.
Since federal money was used, the township could not choose the contractor or materials, and was required to use the lowest bidder, according to township communications and grants manager C.J. Carnacchio.
Township trustee Jack Curtis explained at the December board meeting that “incorrect nails were used and the wood was left untreated.” These materials were not sufficient to support the bridge’s longevity and it would not be safe to use by summer 2020. Furthermore, the deck boards were improperly spaced, so water could not go through. All this has led to the bridge rotting apart.
Carnacchio told this reporter, “The township attorney is looking into this matter and exploring whether or not the township has any recourse to recover the funds it’s expending to replace the W. Drahner Rd. boardwalk, either in full or in part.”
The new contractor handling the repairs, Lapeer-based Faith & Sons LLC, has done numerous jobs for the township, including the OCTV building, the senior center, boardwalks and the fishing observation deck at Powell Lake Township Park.
Parks and Recreation Director Ron Davis spoke highly of the owner, Jack Faith, at the board meeting. “Jack’s work was always under bid and the quality is unbelievable,” Davis said. “He’s not out here to make a buck. He’s here to get the job done right.”
The company asked to do the work in the winter when the wetland is still frozen so they can better access the decking and rafters.
Last year, a small section of the boardwalk was replaced after a reckless driver crashed into it.
Part of township’s safety path system, the boardwalk is a useful connector to the Polly Ann Trail.