M-30 replacement bridge over the Tobacco River now open in Gladwin County

Fast facts:

• The new, permanent M-30 bridge at the Tobacco River has opened.
• Historic flooding and the resulting Edenville dam breach in May 2020 washed away the previous M-30 bridge.
• Less than 10 months after the bridge was destroyed, MDOT installed a prefabricated steel bridge to serve as a temporary crossing.
• The temporary bridge was removed this past March and work began on the new $12.4 million permanent bridge.

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. - On Monday, Oct. 7,the Edenville and Tobacco Township communities, alongside state and local officials, marked the opening of the newly built $12.4 million M-30 bridge over the Tobacco River (formerly known as Wixom Lake). The structure was built to replace the previous M-30 bridge that was washed away following the devastating 500-year flood event in 2020. A video news release of the event is posted on Michigan Department of Transportation's (MDOT) YouTube channel.

"I want to say thank you. Thank you to the community, the people who live here, the people that use this bridge," said State Transportation Director Bradley C. Wieferich, P.E. "Thank you for being a partner as we made this happen just as quickly as we could. This structure speaks to the way that we really need to be thinking about infrastructure when we build it back. This is a great example of the department, the state and local folks working together."

Following extensive and historic flood damage caused by heavy rains and dam breaches in May 2020, nearly 30 roads and bridges across the region were closed and suffered damage. In Midland and Gladwin counties, three bridges within a 2-mile distance were closed to traffic after being washed away, including the M-30 bridge. The washout caused excessive damage and limited mobility in the community.

After addressing several other road and bridge repairs across the impacted area, MDOT began installing a prefabricated steel bridge on Dec. 3, 2020, to serve as a temporary crossing while designs were finalized for a permanent structure. The temporary bridge opened to traffic on March 11, 2021, less than 10 months after the original bridge was destroyed.

The temporary bridge was removed and disassembled this past March, and has been stored for use in future construction and/or emergency situations that may require a temporary bridge. Work on the new, permanent structure began immediately following removal of the temporary bridge.

The new three-span structure is 234 feet long with two 12-foot lanes and 10-foot shoulders, compared to the old 60-foot-long single-span bridge with similar-sized lanes and only 5-foot shoulders. The new bridge also includes 5-foot sidewalks on both sides and sits 2.5 feet higher.

Caption: A view of the new M-30 bridge shortly before it was opened to traffic on Oct. 7.

Caption: State Transportation Director Bradley C. Wieferich and State Rep. Bill G. Schuette (95th District) talk to members of the media during an event to celebrate the opening of the M-30 bridge on Oct. 7.