The landmark red bridge over the Cedar River was moved off its foundation Sunday evening, July 26, so that it may be transported by semi-truck to be sandblasted and repainted.

Ray Pleva of Cedar, who has been instrumental in the grassroots improvement initiative, the Cedar River Marina Park Project, tells the Leelanau Ticker that Cedar Chamber member and Leelanau cherry grower Glenn LaCross helped orchestrate the logistics of the bridge's move. The sandblasting and painting will be done locally and the bridge will be “back here in place in a couple of weeks.”

Repairs to the aging bridge are a first step for the long-awaited Cedar River Marina Park Project — with fundraising still ongoing. Ultimately the project will improve access for all to the three-mile river and wilderness sanctuary that winds into Lake Leelanau. The project’s goal is to enhance the watershed quality and fish habitat and provide the only truly universally accessible public water access in Leelanau County. Watch a short video about the project here.

To fund this initial bridge project, the Cedar Chamber of Commerce provided $5,000, Solon Township provided $5,000, and an additional $3,000 came from the Art and Mary Schmuckal Family Foundation.

Pleva says the bridge will be painted “Polish-red and trimmed in white. Everybody is going to be proud of that job.”

Photo: Iconic bridge over the Cedar River in Cedar, Michigan, is moved off its foundations for repairs and repainting. Community member Ray Pleva pictured in red shirt at top of image. Photo by Rick Brett of Cedar.