UPDATE: M-129 bridge project north of M-80 in Chippewa County faces delays

NEWBERRY, Mich. ­- Onsite work on the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) project to replace the M-129 bridge over Fletcher Creek in Chippewa County is expected to resume soon.

The installation of the box culvert on M-129 over Fletcher Creek has been delayed for several weeks due to issues with fabricating the new culvert. Scanning and testing of the new culvert is currently under way at the fabrication plant and is expected to be finished next week. Onsite activity is expected to resume shortly, pending successful completion of these detailed tests.

Work on this project has required closing M-129 at the bridge with traffic detoured via M-80, Gaines Highway, I-75 and M-28. With work onsite resuming soon, the current schedule would tentatively reopen the road by Oct. 2.

While the delay has been necessary to ensure proper construction methods are followed, MDOT regrets the inconvenience of the detour to motorists and area residents. MDOT and the contractor are committed to completing installation of this critical structure and removing the detour as soon as possible.