The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is actively tweaking traffic measures to alleviate congestion tied to the closure of the northbound lanes of the Zilwaukee Bridge along Interstate 75 in Saginaw County. As reported by CBS News Detroit, MDOT spokesperson Caitlyn French highlighted that the department is "aware of the congestion issues people are reporting," and is considering additional signage and pavement markings to help maintain traffic flow.
With the northbound side of the bridge shut down since August 4 and detours posted along Interstate 675, MDOT is swiftly moving to adjust detours to manage the traffic pileup effectively. "We’ve got crews out there that are actually making some adjustments to the signs and the barrels. And that’s to help accommodate two lanes of traffic to flow through there," French told WNEM. The construction is slated to continue until mid-November, a schedule pending Michigan's weather cooperation.
Travelers heading north have been experiencing significant delays, with detours forcing traffic onto a congested I-675. The $2.9 million bridge project aims to extend the structure's lifespan through expansion joint repair, deck patching, and sealing, according to a Detroit Free Press report. This follows earlier work on the southbound side of the bridge, which took place from mid-April through late June.
French emphasized the need for patience among motorists and acknowledged personal experience navigating the detour. "Just take your time, and eventually you’re going to get to where you need to go," French told WNEM. MDOT continues to remind drivers to abide by work zone safety protocols, including reducing speed, minimizing distractions, obeying signs and workers, and maintaining adequate distance from other vehicles to ensure a safe passage through the construction areas.
The Zilwaukee Bridge, measuring about 1.5 miles long and 125 feet high, sees more than 21 million vehicles annually and represents a vital artery over the Saginaw River. It came at a final cost of $120 million, concluding construction in 1989, well over the initial budget of $77 million. For real-time traffic updates, MDOT encourages drivers to visit MI Drive to plan their routes accordingly.
