LARRY OBRECHT BRIDGE
Senate Bill 606 as passed by the Senate
Sponsor: Sen. Jim Marleau
House Committee: Transportation and Infrastructure
Senate Committee: Transportation
Complete to 11-28-17
SUMMARY:
Senate Bill 606 would amend the Michigan Memorial Highway Act (proposed MCL 250.1014a) to designate the bridge on Polly Ann Trail over highway M-24 in the village of Oxford as the “Larry Obrecht Bridge.” The bill would take effect 90 days after being enacted.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
According to information from the Senate Fiscal Agency, Larry Obrecht served as an Oakland County Commissioner until he resigned in 2009 to become the manager of the Oakland County Animal Control, from which he retired in March 2016. During his term on the Commission, Mr. Obrecht served as the first trail manager for the Polly Ann Trail and raised enough corporate funds to receive a matching federal grant to create the trail and its bridge.
The Polly Ann Trail is a 34-mile-long nonmotorized recreational trail, converted from a former railroad bed, that extends from Orion Township in Oakland County to North Branch Township in Lapeer County. It is part of a network of trails and greenways in southeastern Michigan that support a variety of recreational and tourism activities, encourage environmental awareness and conservation, and provide support to local businesses. Oakland County’s 14.2-mile segment of the trail is managed by the Polly Ann Trail Management Council.[1]
The pedestrian bridge where the trail crosses M-24 in the village of Oxford connects the northern and southern portions of the Oakland County segment of the trail and allows trail users to cross the highway easily and safely. Naming the bridge after Mr. Obrecht would be a fitting way to recognize and honor his role in the trail's development.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Section 2 of the Michigan Memorial Highway Act indicates that the state transportation department shall provide for the erection of suitable markers indicating the name of the highway only "when sufficient private contributions are received to completely cover the cost of erecting and maintaining those markers." As a result, the bill has no state or local fiscal impact.
Fiscal Analyst: William E. Hamilton
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.