Lovers Lane bridge over I-94 opens to traffic Wednesday, Nov. 1

Contact: Julie Hurley 269-208-7829

Agency: Transportation

November 1, 2006 - - The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will complete the majority of the work on the Lovers Lane bridge and open it to traffic by noon on Wednesday, Nov. 1.

Work began in March 2006 on this $9 million project to replace the Lovers Lane bridge over I-94 in Kalamazoo County.

"This project is the first of several in the long-term plan to widen I-94 from west of US-131 to west of Sprinkle Road," said Southwest Region engineer Bobbi Welke. "We're very pleased to be wrapping up work and opening this bridge to traffic this afternoon."

Work included total bridge replacement, construction of a retention pond, and aesthetic bridge enhancements. It also included the reconstruction and widening of approximately 0.3 mile of eastbound I-94 at Lovers Lane. The work on I-94 will be completed in late November.

Motorists will not be able to utilize the widened section of I-94 upon completion of the Lovers Lane bridge reconstruction project. However, the highway will be wide enough to accommodate traffic when the remaining I-94 widening projects begin.

This project will help relieve traffic congestion on Lovers Lane, and is expected to service the motoring public for at least 30 years.

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