LANSING, MI— A recent report by the Michigan Department of Transportation indicates more than 100 bridges are at risk of closure by 2035 if lawmakers don’t fund their replacement.
In the U.P., 22 MDOT bridges are currently listed in poor condition with six at risk of closure by 2035, potentially affecting nearly 28,000 road users and the corridors they rely on daily.
Officials say the M-69 bridge over the Michigamme River in Iron County is an example of the state's aging bridge epidemic. Built in 1931, the bridge’s deck, beams, and substructure are all rated in poor condition. They say it’s a critical link for residents, tourism and the logging industry in the central U.P.
Most of the state's bridge inventory was built in the 1950s and designed with a 50 to 60-year service life. Because most bridges were built in the same decade, the structures have aged in sync.
