Drivers in Macomb County should prepare for detours as the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has announced the upcoming temporary closure of Henry Joy Boulevard at I-94. Scheduled to start on Oct. 6, both eastbound and westbound lanes will be shut down between M-3 (Gratiot Avenue) and Irwin Drive. This interruption is necessary to enable crews to safely complete repairs on the westbound I-94 bridge—a structure compromised last fall when struck by an overly tall load, according to a recent MDOT release.
The closure is part of an effort to ensure the long-term integrity of the bridge and motorists' safety. MDOT has provided alternate routes: eastbound traffic will have to detour via southbound M-3, then continue southbound on Market Street, eastbound on North River Road, and finally head northbound on Irwin Drive. Those heading westbound will also need to temporarily adjust, instructed to go southbound on Irwin Drive, take West River Road westbound, and follow northbound on M-3 (Gratiot Avenue). While perhaps inconvenient, these measures are crucial for the lasting safety that everyone on the roads deserves.
Local traffic will not be left in the lurch; access will be maintained on Henry Joy Boulevard from Gratiot Avenue to Lenfesty Drive. MDOT stresses the significance of this repair work, which not only addresses damage from the high-load hit but also serves as a proactive stride against future vulnerabilities.
