New bridge over Chocolay River
ISHPEMING– A stretch of M-94 that has been closed since last October is expected to re–open this summer after a new bridge is constructed. Officials from the Michigan Department of Transportation in Marquette County say construction a new bridge will begin this upcoming Monday.
The bridge will be located on M-94 by the east branch of the Chocolay River. The one point eight million dollar project is expected to be done by mid–July.
When it’s done, drivers will no longer have to use a detour.
“Every vehicle that intends to go from US–41 to the base has had to take the detour.” Said MDOT Construction Engineer Al Anderson, “And for the trucks particularly it’s a long detour all the way through County Road 480 and 553, so having it back open will a great benefit to them.”
The construction contract was awarded to Zenith Tech, a company based in Wisconsin.
Funding for the new bridge will come from Emergency Federal Funding and state shares.
The original bridge was washed out by floods last October.