5/1/14 - The Livingston County Road Commission will be doing bridge work this summer although one project is proving to be more of a challenge than others. The bridge is located way out to the west on Grand River between Wheeler and Wallace Roads in Handy Township - almost to the Ingham County line. Road Commission Managing Director Mike Craine tells WHMI the bridge over Grand River is complicated in part because theyâre dealing with significant stream restrictions from the MDEQ. While they accept the requirements and understand the importance of environmental balance, he says it really limits when they can do the work, especially on a heavily-traveled road such as Grand River. The restrictions will prevent the work from starting all spring and into early summer but Craine says they also need to consider those driving long distances and the impact of lengthy detours. He tells WHMI the bridge is located along an important route, particularly for the agricultural community as virtually the entire harvest of soybeans and corn goes to the giant grain elevators that can be seen from the freeway at M-52. Craine says right now, the Grand River bridge is proposed be done in halves, which is known as part-width construction but he says theyâll look at that in further detail after bids are received in early June. He says once they have a contract, theyâll be able to better determine what really can be done and see if thereâs any incentive on the awarded bidderâs part to accelerate the schedule and do it with a total closure. Meanwhile, the Livingston County Road Commission will also be moving forward with removing and replacing the Center Road bridge in Deerfield Township. Bids for that project will be received in early May. Craine says theyâll be building this summer, starting sometime in early June and with completion by the end of August. (JM)
↧