Memorial Day events adjusted due to Coldwater bridge construction
COLDWATER — The usual Memorial Day ceremonies are planned this year for Coldwater, but construction on U.S.-12 will impact them.
The city council Monday night adopted a resolution authorizing the closure of US-12 and use of the NW Four Corners Park and Oak Grove Cemetery for the 2023 Memorial Day ceremonial events, Monday, May 29.
City Manager Keith Baker said he has talked with Joel Renshaw, who took over planning the event from Jerry Ford.
Ceremonies begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Four Corners Park, with the parade at 9:15 a.m. The parade will proceed to the Coldwater American Legion Post 52 at Clay Street, then on U.S.-12 to Oak Grove Cemetery.
The $2.4 million reconstruction project on U.S.-12 stretches from Western Avenue to the west past the Coldwater River Bridge.
That ceremony to toss a wreath off the bridge to honor those who lost their lives at sea during wars is set at 9:40 am. However, Baker said, “Observances at the bridge that’s to be determined based on the condition of the bridge at the time.”
Stop lights have been installed on the Coldwater River bridge to allow for alternating one-lane traffic while heavy equipment rebuilds the bridge and its side railings.
Baker said, “The parade may just go straight to the old cemetery on the north side.”
Plans for Memorial Day will include the 9:50 a.m. ceremony in the historic north section of Oak Grove Cemetery.
A Gathering of Flags War Memorial Ceremony at the south side of Oak Grove Cemetery will be held at 10:30 a.m.
Baker said Coldwater Sunrise Rotary and the Community Foundation are sponsoring the events.
Already wide loads are banned from U.S.-12 through Coldwater until the completion of construction scheduled in June. Michigan Department of Transpiration is rerouting those into Indiana on SR120 and onto M60 at the Calhoun County line.
Coldwater sends trucks and other traffic south on Butters to Garfield. The city plans to reconstruct that street from U.S.-12 to Race Street this summer.
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Baker said work on Butters would begin after U.S.-12 is completed under the current timetable.
The city manager offered, “Recognition for Jerry Ford for all of his organizational efforts over the many years are putting on the ceremonies.” The 82-year-old Ford turned the event over to Renshaw last year.
---Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter: @DReidTDR
This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Coldwater bridge construction impacts Memorial Day events
