Preliminary Main Street Bridge Work to Start July 13

Almost two years after closing two lanes of the Main Street Bridge, it will be closed completely for replacement starting July 20. Construction will continue through mid-December.

The westbound lanes of the Main Street bridge have been closed for more than a year now, with two-way traffic rerouted and weight restrictions increased due to the declining conditions of the infrastructure and deck. Repair or replacement has seemed to be a long time coming, but the end is now in sight.

Starting next Monday, July 13, cold-mill and resurfacing of the detour routes on Duncan and Adrian streets will start, with completion of that segment set for July 18. Once the detour route is ready for traffic, removal of the existing bridge will begin on Monday, July 20, a process that is expected to take about two weeks.

A two-month phase in which the foundation elements of the bridge are set will begin on August 4, followed by construction of the abutments (structural support) on October 6.

October will be the month when the most visible and intriguing construction begins to happen. Abutment installation will take about 10 days and will be immediately followed by the support beams. The superstructure, concrete decks, and sidewalks will take place in late October to early November; and the bridge railings will be the final phase with completion and opening to traffic anticipated by December 15.

Required construction progress schedules have been turned in to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). Once this schedule is submitted the state expects the work to be completed as outlined.

The bridge construction is being financed primarily by State of Michigan grants, with a bond passed last summer by village residents providing only about 15 percent of the total costs of the replacement.

Removal of the current bridge will begin Monday July 20.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.