Southbound M 53 (Van Dyke Freeway) closed three weekends between M 59 (Hall Road) and 18 Mile Road for bridge work

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. ­- The Michigan Department of Transportation's $16 million investment on M-53 (Van Dyke Freeway) between M-59 (Hall Road) and 18 Mile Road in Utica has encountered some delays and is now expected to be complete at the end of the month, weather permitting.

Due to rideability concerns on the southbound M-53 bridge over the Clinton River, contractors will need to close the bridge for approximately three weekends to repair the bridge approaches to ensure a smoother riding surface and improve drainage on the bridge. Southbound M-53 will be closed from M-59 (Hall Road) to 18 Mile Road during the following times:

• 5 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 9 - 5 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11
• 5 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 16 - 5 a.m. Monday, Nov. 18
• 5 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23 - 5 a.m. Monday, Nov. 25

Southbound M-53 traffic will be detoured via westbound M-59, southbound Mound Road, and eastbound 18 Mile Road back to southbound M-53.

Work on northbound M-53, which began in August, has had completion delayed to the end of the month due to the Utica Road bridge being in worse condition than expected.