Muskegon, Mich., is getting artistic with two railroad bridges

Crews will prep a railroad bridge in Muskegon, Mich., for two murals.

MLive.com

When you are a railroad bridge these days there is a greater chance you will encounter a vertical lift than a facelift. However, a bridge in Muskegon, Mich., will be going through a change in appearance over the next several weeks. Next year, you might even be able to charge for motorists to see it.

Crews will be cleaning and painting a railroad bridge that crosses Rte. 31 between Laketon and Hackley avenues. An artist’s mural will be added next year.

The city of Muskegon will be paying $68,000 to refresh the railroad bridge, which is owned by CSX. Lane closures are expected to last through Oct. 1. The bridge over Rte. 31 is being prepped for the artwork.

A fundraising effort will help pay for two murals, one for each side of the bridge. Sixteen artists submitted pictures for four murals (two more murals will be placed on a second railroad bridge over Seaway Drive between Muskegon Heights and Norton Shores). Nine semifinalists have been chosen and will have to submit a 30 percent scale painting of their submission by Oct. 15. A final four will be selected, and those designs will be made public.

Read more articles on railroad bridges.