| MDOT warns pedestrians, bicyclists to stay off Cut River bridge
Contact:
James Lake, MDOT Office of Communications, 906-786-1830, ext. 323
Agency:
Transportation
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May 8, 2009 -- The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is advising pedestrians and bicyclists that the closure of the US-2 Cut River bridge applies to them as well, and they should not pass beyond the road closure barricades.
MDOT and its contractor are in the process of replacing the US-2 Cut River bridge deck, and have detoured traffic around the construction site on Cut River Road and Prater Boulevard. Some bicyclists have disregarded the "Road Closed" signs and barricades and crossed the bridge.
"MDOT has closed this section of US-2 and detoured traffic for the safety of both workers and the public," said Pete Paramski, delivery engineer for the Newberry Transportation Service Center. "Not only is there a safety concern with having pedestrians and bicyclists in the middle of an active construction site, but soon the bridge deck will be removed, making crossing the bridge impossible."
Michigan's Vehicle Code states that all bicyclists on the roadway have the same responsibilities as drivers, including obeying all traffic control devices, which includes construction zone signs. Police have advised MDOT to contact them whenever unauthorized pedestrians or bicyclists are spotted within the construction zone.
MDOT: Working to improve our state roads and bridges.
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