CHARLEVOIX COUNTY — The Bascule Bridge in Charlevoix is about to be under construction starting at the end of this month and going through next May.
The bridge is a major artery through the city’s downtown. The Michigan Department of Transportation’s communication specialist for the North region, James Lake, said this renovation is needed not only for safety, but for the ongoing integrity and reliability of the bridge during the boating months.
“This is a $6.3 million project, primarily aimed at replacing some of the critical steel components in the bridge’s operation. These are the track and tread plates that are the pivot points really for the bridge when it opens and closes,” said Lake.
MDOT officials said the project should have a minimal impact to drivers through the end of this year, but there will be some bridge closures next year during the renovation project.
Starting in January, traffic will be shifted to either the West or East half of the bridge, but there will always be one lane open in both directions. Also starting in January, the bridge will closed for up to 10 nights from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., with two weeks’ notice
“We need these 12-hour periods. We expect to complete that work. But we’re targeting the time of day when traffic is at the lowest volume because we understand there’s a significant detour that’s required when the bridge is closed to vehicle traffic,” said Lake.
Another 12 nights will have bridge closures, for 15 minutes periods between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. with 48 hours’ notice.
MDOT said they know the bridge is a critical crossing, connecting the two halves of Charlevoix, so they have been working closely with the city, and first responders, to keep services accessible during the closure.
Charlevoix Police Chief Jill Mcdonnell said communication with MDOT will be critical during this time.
“They’ll let us know when the bridge is actually not passable for us. And then both police, fire, EMS have plans to have personnel stationed on either side of the bridge so that we can respond to incidences as they happen,” said McDonnell.
McDonnell said they are coordinating with other agencies in Northern Michigan to make sure they have the bodies to man both sides and access to hospitals as well.
“They can divert. We’re communicating with the other agencies, both in Emmet County and outside the city of Charlevoix, so that they’re aware of the closures as well, " said McDonnell.
Still McDonnell said she doesn’t anticipate this to be anymore inconvenient than the scheduled half an hour traffic delays people experience in the summer.
“The summer bridge opening, closing is going to have more of an impact on traffic than the actual construction project’s going to have. So, I don’t see that as being a problem,” said McDonnell.
