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Bridges in Allegan and Ottawa counties replaced as part of MDOT local agency bridge bundling program

LANSING, Mich. - The 16th Street bridge over Miller Creek in Allegan County and the 32nd Avenue bridge over the north branch of Crockery Creek in Ottawa County, both under construction this year, were completed and reopened to traffic recently as the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) bridge bundling program continues to support local agencies working to improve bridge conditions.

The bridges were part of phase two of this innovative program to assist local agencies with bridge replacements. These bridges comprised a $3.7 million design-bid-build bridge bundle in MDOT's Grand and Southwest regions. The Ottawa County bridge reopened to traffic Nov. 15, while the Allegan County bridge reopened Dec. 20.

"The bridge bundling project went smoothly on our end," said Allegan County Highway Engineer Ryan Kemppainen. "From the design phase with (consultants) HNTB to the construction phase with RS&H, communication was strong throughout and we would welcome additional bundling projects in the future."

The county rebuilt two other bridges this summer, along with several other projects. Kemppainen said the bridge bundling program provided a significant benefit, as the county did not have to allocate staff to construction engineering for the 16th Street bridge. 

"We received zero complaints from local residents along the affected corridor, and Nashville Construction did a good job with the bridge construction,” Kemppainen added.

Local officials also deemed the Ottawa County project a success.

"The 32nd Avenue bridge was completed through the bridge bundling program, where other funding was not available," said Brett Laughlin, managing director of the Ottawa County Road Commission. "While there were some complications during construction, local residents and agricultural users appreciate that the new bridge is completed. We encourage MDOT to continue the bridge bundling program as a benefit to local agencies across the state." 

MDOT continues to work on phase two and three bridge bundling projects around Michigan in collaboration with local agency bridge owners. A complete schedule of projects is available online.

Bridge bundling, which packages several bridge locations under one contract, streamlines coordination and permitting, increases economies of scale and improves bridge conditions on local routes around the state. In October 2024, MDOT was awarded competitive federal grant funding on behalf of local agencies, allowing additional bridge bundle projects to be built to further improve local agency-owned bridge conditions in urban areas. 

Over the past five years, this program has delivered 34 bridge replacements and removals to boost the overall safety of the transportation network in Michigan. Coordination and collaboration among MDOT, local agency owners and consultants have been critical to the program's success. Through its consultants, MDOT provided scoping, planning, environmental clearance, design, construction and inspection services without any cost to the local agencies.

Two workers holding closure signs on the 32nd Avenue bridge over the north branch of Crockery Creek in Ottawa County.
Closure signs come down Nov. 15 on the 32nd Avenue bridge over the north branch of Crockery Creek in Ottawa County. The bridge was rebuilt as part of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) local agency bridge bundling program. (RS&H photo)

The 16th Street bridge over Miller Creek in Allegan County reopened to traffic Saturday, Dec. 20.
The 16th Street bridge over Miller Creek in Allegan County reopened to traffic Saturday, Dec. 20. The bridge was rebuilt as part of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) local agency bridge bundling program. (RS&H photo)

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