South Beltline (Paul B. Henry) Freeway
Phases II & III Ribbon-Cutting Photos

The second and third phases of the M-6/South Beltline (Paul B Henry) Freeway across the southern portion of the Grand Rapids metro region were opened to traffic on Wednesday, November 17, 2004. The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on the westbound lanes of the freeway at the Byron Center Ave overpass in Byron Township. This is the first of three photo pages.

Ribbon-cutting invitees parked their vehicles on the eastbound lanes of the M-6/South Beltline Frwy at Byron Center Ave, while the actual ceremony took place on the westbound lanes. To get from one side of the freeway to the other, MDOT crews constructed this footbridge, complete with painted centerline, road name and underclearance signs (see next photo for detail). Photo ©2004 Christopher J. Bessert. All Rights Reserved.

Closeup of the footbridge spanning the freeway median. Note the signs for "Little Rd" and the underclearance of "1 ft, 7 in." Photo ©2004 Christopher J. Bessert. All Rights Reserved.

A procession of construction, maintenance and emergency vehicles assembled in the eastbound lanes beyond the parked cars of the attendees. Maintenance vehicles from MDOT and the Kent County Road Commission as well as emergency vehicles from all cities and townships along the route were present. Also note the local media vehicles from WOOD-TV 8 and Woodradio AM 1300. Photo ©2004 Christopher J. Bessert. All Rights Reserved.

Another view of the pedestsrian bridge spanning the median, this time from the westbound lanes. Event attendees are arriving en masse now and other spectators and local citizens are beginning to gather on the Byron Center Ave overpass above. Photo ©2004 Christopher J. Bessert. All Rights Reserved.

The Byron Center High School band getting queued up to play in the westbound lanes. In addition to other tunes, the band began the festivities by playing the National Anthem. The new Metropolitan Hospital structure can be seen rising in the background. Photo ©2004 Christopher J. Bessert. All Rights Reserved.

Looking westerly down the new M-6/South Beltline Freeway from immediately west of the Byron Center Ave overpass. The ribbon-cutting ceremonies will be taking place a few hundred feet behind the photographer and you can see the attendees vehicles parked on the eastbound lanes on the left. Photo ©2004 Christopher J. Bessert. All Rights Reserved.

Photo Pages: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3