LANSING, Mich. (WSYM) - The bridge in Miami was brand new, it was installed last Saturday, and still months away from being open to the public. Here in Michigan we have a different problem with bridges that are too old.
FOX 47 News talked with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to see how it's keeping our bridges safe.
It's no question that Michigan's roads are in bad shape. The state received a "D-" for infrastructures and roads on a recent report card. MDOT told us that grade doesn't come as a shock to them.
"For quite a few years now we haven't had enough money to repair the roads the roads. The roads are old right now and do need replacement we need money to be able to completely rebuild and replace certain bridges," said Micheal Frezell, MDOT Communications Manager.
The bridge where Michigan Ave. goes over the Grand River in downtown Lansing is one of the lucky ones that doesn't need a complete replacement but will undergo a preventative maintenance starting this June.
"That way we don't have to invest a lot of money to completely replace the bridge, obviously with the traffic going by it sees a lot of wear, weather plays wear on the bridge as well as road salts" said Frezell.
With more people out in the summer, Frezell told us they are making sure their constructions plans work around some of the busier times.
He said, "we've been working with our partners, with the city of Lansing to make sure we don't impact the community to much. Like we've talked about Common Ground festival. But the project will not be working for the Common Ground holiday and through the fourth of July holiday."
And in order to keep the traffic flowing Frezell said, "ware going to do one side at a time, starting with the north side of the bridge which would equate to the westbound traffic towards the capitol. We will shut all lanes down east bound traffic will continue through the bridge."
Another big bridge project is happening in Jackson County this summer.
MDOT will be replacing the I-94 bridges at Cooper Street and over the Grand River. There will be lane closures starting in June, and the job won't be finished until December 2019.
There is a recently built pedestrian bridge in Meridian Township, spanning the Red Cedar River on Okemos Road.
It was also built off site, and installed in 2015. The Meridian Township Chief Engineer told us the building process for that bridge is completely different than the construction of the bridge in Miami.
