Multiple road closures and resurfacing may hamper commutes

Austin Road closure at Ernst Road.

Depending on your route, you may need to give yourself a few extra minutes when leaving Manchester this week.

Last Thursday, many drivers were caught off guard when the Washtenaw County Road Commission closed Austin Road between Schneider Road and Ernst Road with a one-day notice. The stretch of road had been down to one lane with a stop light since December because of extensive structural deterioration to the concrete span bridge.

The road is now completely closed to through traffic while they replace the damaged bridge with a new concrete box culvert. The posted DETOUR for this closure is from Schneider Road to Pleasant Lake Road to M-52 and vice versa, and the current estimate on completion is September 2. While Bemis Road runs parallel between Ernst and Schneider and would appear to be an obvious detour route, it has been closed since December, also due to structural damage to a bridge.

Steinbach Rd between Textile Road and Pleasant Lake Road in Freedom Township will also close on Thursday Aug. 4th for asphalt resurfacing. Its estimated completion is Sunday Aug. 7. The suggested detour route for this closure is Weber Road, Parker Road, & Pleasant Lake Road.

On Wednesday, Aug 3rd in Manchester township, the Washtenaw County Road Commission will be gravel resurfacing part of Van Tuyle Road, all of Fahey Road and part of Henzie Road.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.