CHARLEVOIX. – As part of a $6.3 million Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) project to replace the US-31 Charlevoix bascule bridge’s tread and track components, which are critical to the bridge’s operation.
The bridge will be closed to US-31 traffic overnight (7 p.m. – 7 a.m.) the nights of March 25- 28. These 12-hour periods will allow crews to get all work completed as safely as possible. During the closures, which are dependent on weather and work progress, traffic will be detoured on US-31, M-66, M-32, and US-131.
For safety, pedestrians and bicyclists will not be allowed to cross the bridge during the overnight closures due to the fact that the bridge deck will be an active work zone, with equipment and contractors in action.
The bridge will remain closed to marine traffic in the channel that would require the bridge to open through April 1.
From April 1 until the project is completed in late May, the channel will reopen to marine traffic while remaining work is finished. The bridge will return to normal operation for vehicle and marine traffic.
The project, which began in late October, also includes work on the bridge railings, electrical components, joints, curbs, and gutters, all with a goal of extending the 74-year-old bridge’s service life and maintain its reliability.
Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 89 jobs. For Charlevoix bascule bridge updates on construction and anticipated closures, sign up for e-mail notifications.
