Work progressing on US-141 bridge replacement project

Contact: James Lake, MDOT Office of Communications,
lakejames@michigan.gov 
906-786-1830, ext. 323

Agency: Transportation

February 18, 2011 -- Work continues on the US-141 bridge replacement project between Breitung Township and Niagara, Wis., with demolition of the old structure progressing on schedule.

The project, a joint effort between the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), resumed in January.

MDOT Crystal Falls Transportation Service Center (TSC) Manager Mike Premo offered updates on several aspects of the project's progress:

- Demolition of the old bridge continues, with the concrete deck and steel girders already removed. Both abutments and one of the five piers have been removed.

- Contractors are installing cofferdams for removal of the rest of the old piers, and for construction of the new piers.

- Contractors expect to begin driving piles for the new piers in early March. Nearby residents will hear this operation.

- As part of the construction, barges in the Menominee River are breaking the ice around the bridge. Snowmobilers and fishermen should avoid the area during construction.

- The signal at the US-2/US-141 intersection has been switched to flashing mode to reflect observed traffic patterns. US-2 traffic will have a flashing yellow signal, and US-141 traffic will have a flashing red.

- MDOT has removed the changeable message signs in the area that had advised motorists of the detour route in the early stages of the project.

The project detour requires traffic to use US-2 and US-8 through Norway to travel between Breitung Township and Niagara. While the detour is in place, MDOT also will be reconstructing US-141 from the bridge north to the railroad bridge south of the US-2 intersection. That work is scheduled to begin in June, after school ends for the summer, and will be completed before school resumes in the fall.

For up-to-date information on this project, go to the list of statewide lane closures at: www.michigan.gov/drive. Follow MDOT at www.twitter.com/MichiganDOT or www.facebook.com/MichiganDOT.

MDOT says: Remember - in Ice and Snow, Take it Slow!