SOM - I-94 bridge completion in Battle Creek delayed until spring, Riverside Drive to reopen for holiday shopping weekend


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I-94 bridge completion in Battle Creek delayed until spring, Riverside Drive to reopen for holiday shopping weekend

Contact: Nick Schirripa, MDOT Office of Communications, 269-337-3927
Agency: Transportation

November 13, 2009 -- The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will continue the work to rebuild the I-94 bridges over Riverside Drive in Battle Creek until the weather becomes prohibitive, but delays earlier this year will push completion of the project into spring 2010.

"The project was delayed earlier this year when the bridges shifted. Some of this lost time was regained but several weeks of bad weather prevented the contractor from getting back on track for completion this year," said Bobbi Welke, MDOT Southwest Region engineer. "We certainly regret the delays, but we want to be sure we're delivering a safe, quality product for the motoring public."

MDOT's contractor will work on the bridges as long as possible this winter, until the weather prevents further work. Riverside Drive will be open to traffic during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, Nov. 26-29, to accommodate holiday shoppers and lessen the project's impact on the local economy.

"We appreciate the patience of Battle Creek residents and businesses as we've worked diligently on this project," Welke said. "We are happy to open Riverside Drive for one of the biggest shopping periods of the year."

Riverside Drive again will be closed to traffic starting Nov. 30 through the end of work this winter, but it will be reopened until bridge work resumes in the spring. MDOT anticipates the contractor will resume work in March 2010, at which time Riverside Drive will be closed until the project's completion.

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 visit the "Michigan Department of Transportation" page on Facebook and become a fan.

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


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