MDOT’s bridge projects across the state need more funding, and that includes one in the local area.
More than 100 bridges around the state are near critical status, including the I-94 bridge over M-140 in Watervliet. That bridge has been listed in poor condition since 1998.
WSJM reports that the bridge dates to 1960 and has only ever had one overhaul, a little more than 40 years ago. It has had repairs, but that’s not really an option anymore and the bridge has reached a point where it needs to be replaced, according to MDOT.
That would cost around $13 million, something that isn’t available in the current MDOT 5-Year Plan.
The bridge is inspected for safety once per year.