Categories: CommunityEvents/What's HappeningNews

Bridge Reconstruction Project in Livonia Set to Begin

Workers prepare for the bridge reconstruction project in Livonia.

News Summary

Livonia residents should brace for upcoming traffic changes as the Michigan Department of Transportation announces a bridge reconstruction project. Starting January 6, 2024, parts of Ann Arbor Road and Edward Hines Drive will undergo significant closures for upgrades. The total investment of $21.5 million aims to demolish and rebuild the aging bridges originally constructed in 1925 and 1948, ensuring safer travel with improved intersections and traffic signals. Temporary routes and pedestrian access will be maintained during construction, set to complete by late 2025.

Big Changes in Livonia: Bridge Reconstruction Project Kicking Off Soon!

Hey Livonia residents! Exciting (and maybe a little inconvenient) news is on the horizon. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is gearing up to tackle some major bridge construction, which means a few road closures will be happening soon. So, grab your coffee and get comfy as we dive into what you can expect!

What’s Happening?

Starting at 6 a.m. on January 6, 2024, parts of Ann Arbor Road and Edward Hines Drive will be closed for some serious bridge reconstruction work. If you’ve driven down Ann Arbor Road lately, you might have noticed that the bridge over the Middle Rouge River is looking a little worse for wear. Originally built all the way back in 1925, it’s time for an update!

Details on the Closures

The closure for Ann Arbor Road will affect the stretch between Newburgh Road and Market Street. So if you usually commute through that area, be sure to plan for some alternative routes. Meanwhile, over on Edward Hines Drive, that part won’t close until early spring 2024, but similar detours will be in place for bridge work that dates back to 1948.

A Big Investment for Better Roads

This entire construction project is valued at an impressive $21.5 million. What’s all that money going towards, you ask? Well, the work includes:

Demolishing and rebuilding the bridges on both roads
Rebuilding intersections for better traffic flow
Upgrading traffic signals to keep things running smoothly
Reconstructing the shared-use path and pavement leading to the bridges

And for those of you on foot, don’t worry! There will be a temporary bridge to keep pedestrian access open across the shared-use path. So, feel free to keep striding along safely, even while the work is in full swing!

Detour Routes to Know

Let’s talk about getting around during this project. For those driving on Ann Arbor Road:

Eastbound traffic will be detoured via northbound Newburgh Road to eastbound Plymouth Road
Westbound traffic will be redirected via westbound Plymouth Road to southbound Newburgh Road

And for Edward Hines Drive:

Eastbound traffic will head northbound Newburgh Road, then eastbound Ann Arbor/Plymouth Road, followed by southbound Farmington Road and westbound Joy Road
Westbound traffic will detour through eastbound Joy Road, then northbound Farmington Road, followed by westbound Ann Arbor/Plymouth Road, and southeast Jughandle Road

What’s Next?

Once this project wraps up, there will likely be even more changes coming your way. Look out for additional road work at the intersections of Ann Arbor Road with Newburgh and Plymouth Roads later in 2025. This will involve more rebuilding and updates to traffic signals. It’s a lot of work, but in the end, you’ll get safer, smoother roads!

Wrapping Up

The whole reconstruction process is expected to be completed by late 2025, so stay tuned for progress updates! In the meantime, it’s a good idea to stay informed and adjust your travel plans. While changes can be a hassle, this project will ultimately benefit our community in the long run. Safe travels, Livonia!