Drivers in the Bay County are bracing for a summer of detours and construction noise as the Mackinaw Road overpass at U.S. 10 is scheduled for closure starting Friday, May 10th to undergo a massive overhaul, the Michigan Department of Transportation announced, that the bridge is being demolished to make way for a new overpass and two roundabouts aimed at improving traffic flow and safety.

According to WJRT, all lanes of U.S. 10 will shut down entirely at 9 p.m. this Friday while crews undertake the bridge demolition, after which traffic can use the Mackinaw Road ramps to bypass the construction, but only for a brief period, as these will close again come May 13 with one lane reopening in each direction around the construction zone.

The $32.8 million project encompasses rebuilding parts of U.S. 10 between Bay City and 7 Mile Road, along with the interchange at Mackinaw Road; the work is slated to be completed by November, as per information from MDOT. Detour routes for impacted travelers will be posted, redirecting Mackinaw Road traffic to Midland, 7 Mile, and Salzburg roads.

With construction in full swing residents and commuters are expected to face some inconvenience – despite the added jobs and safety benefits touted by MDOT, which claims the project will indirectly support nearly 400 jobs and lead to a safer, more efficient roadway network for the region's future, existing lane closures already in effect on U.S. 10 are anticipated to remain in place until the project reaches its conclusion later in the year.