Federal grant will allow expansion of MDOT local agency bridge bundling program

LANSING, Mich. - A $34.2 million federal bridge investment program (BIP) grant, supported by the Biden-Harris administration's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), will allow the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) local agency bridge bundling program to fund work on seven more bridges owned by local agencies around the state.

The competitive grant award for urban bridges, announced Thursday, will allow the funding of these bridges in an expanded Phase Three of the innovative program:

• Fraser Street bridge over the Kawkawlin River in Bay County: This bridge is in poor condition, load posted, scour critical and located along a major collector road impacting nearby sugar processing businesses, trucking companies and oil tankers. Load restrictions on the bridge require a 5.7-mile detour.
• East Elm Street bridge over the Red Cedar River in the city of Lansing: Replacing this bridge will provide safe and equitable access to employment opportunities and accommodate future traffic volumes by restoring its load-carrying capacity to accommodate larger freight vehicles for area businesses, including the nearby General Motors assembly plant.
• Plymouth Road bridge over the Fleming Creek in Washtenaw County: This bridge is in serious condition, scour critical and located along a curve where the outdated geometry has led to a high crash history.
• Beck Road bridge over the Johnson Drain in Wayne County: This bridge is in poor condition, load posted and deemed scour critical. It poses a risk of closure from future storm events that would impact residents, causing delays and obstructing efficient school bus services and emergency response.
• Harrison Street bridge over the South Branch of the Ecorse River in the city of Lincoln Park: This bridge is in serious condition and considered scour critical. Subject to frequent high-water conditions, the bridge faces a risk of closure.
• Sashabaw Road bridge over the Clinton River in Oakland County: This bridge is in serious condition with a high crash history and has been load posted due to deterioration of the beams and deck, requiring a 5-mile detour for heavier trucks.
• West Spring Lake Road bridge over the Smith Bayou in the city of Ferrysburg: This bridge is in serious condition due to the deterioration of the beams. It has been load posted, causing impacts to truck operations.

Construction on these projects is expected to start in 2026.

"We are excited to receive this grant to maintain the momentum of our bridge bundling program as we work to help local agencies improve the conditions of their bridges," said Rebecca Curtis, director of MDOT's Bureau of Bridges and Structures. "While these seven bridges represent only a fraction of the structures around the state in need of serious repairs, every bridge is important. Seven more communities will have new bridges to serve them for 75 years or more."

The competitive BIP grant considered how the projects would improve the state of repair of the bridges, protect safety and mobility, contribute to economic competitiveness and opportunity, address climate change and sustainability, improve equity and quality of life, and deploy innovative designs or techniques.

"Thanks to the Biden-Harris administration's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Michigan has received millions in funding to 'Fix the Damn Roads' and expand our bridge bundling program," said Zachary Kolodin, chief infrastructure officer and director of the Michigan Infrastructure Office."This funding enables us to invest in projects that modernize our infrastructure, support thousands of good-paying jobs, and ensure our residents and businesses can travel safely and efficiently for decades to come."

Members of Michigan's Congressional delegation reacted to the grant announcement:

"I was proud to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to rebuild Michigan's roads and bridges and grow our local economy," said Rep. Dale Kildee (8th District). "Thanks to the work of Vice President Harris and Democrats in Congress, we're investing in infrastructure projects to create good-paying jobs and make our state more economically competitive."

"Strengthening our bridges makes our community safer, creates jobs and grows the local economy, improves commute times, and connects our communities," said Rep. Debbie Dingell (6th District). "We have a responsibility to strengthen our decades-old infrastructure and ensure the safety of our neighbors, which is why we secured this funding in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help us rebuild, maintain our infrastructure and keep Michigan strong and resilient."

"Today's announcement is just one more example of how infrastructure funding is making a difference for our communities," said Rep. Elissa Slotkin (7th District). "Repairing and rebuilding our bridges will help Michiganders get to work, school or elsewhere and have a smooth and safe ride while doing it. These projects will also drive economic activity in the region and support plenty of good-paying jobs. After decades of talking about rebuilding infrastructure in Michigan and across the country, dirt is finally moving on projects that will pay dividends for years to come."

"I am thrilled that west Michigan's Ferrysburg bridge is included in the $34.2 million total award for the Michigan Urban Bridges Revitalization Project," said Rep. Hillary Scholten (3rd District). "I have tirelessly advocated for the Ferrysburg Bridge to receive this federal funding because we know our bridges' stability is paramount to not only protecting the safety of our neighbors but also keeping our roads moving smoothly. Fortifying our bridges is one way to build a better, safer future for the next generation of Michiganders. I could not be more grateful that help is on the way for west Michigan."

Bridge bundling, which packages several bridge locations under one contract, streamlines coordination and permitting, increases economies of scale and improves bridge conditions on local routes around the state.

MDOT continues to work on Phase Two and Three bridge bundling projects across the state in collaboration with local agency bridge owners. Phase Two includes five bridge replacements in the northern Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula, removal of five closed bridges and the ongoing replacement of two bridges in Wayne County.

Phase Three includes replacing one bridge in Iosco County that is nearing completion as well as bridge bundles that will be let for bids in 2024, 2025 and 2026. The 2024 bundle includes replacing two bridges in Allegan and Ottawa counties and removing one bridge in Benzie County. The 2025 bundle will include replacing five bridges in Branch, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston and Monroe counties. In 2026, the bundle will include replacing another five bridges in Bay, Huron, Lapeer and Saginaw counties and the city of Flint.

Over the past four years, this program has replaced or removed 26 bridges to boost the overall safety of the transportation network in Michigan. Coordination and collaboration among MDOT, consultants and local agency owners has been critical to the program's success. Through its consultants, MDOT provided scoping, planning, environmental clearance, design, construction and inspection services without any cost to the local agencies.