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Work progressing on Esky River Bridge

Courtesy photo In a photo shared by the Michigan Department of Transportation, the U.S. 2 and 41 bridge over the Escanaba River is shown in mid-March. Work has now begun on abutments and piers for the bridge’s eastbound span.

WELLS — Work on the U.S. 2 and 41 bridge over the Escanaba River has been going well, Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Communications Representative for the Superior Region Dan Weingarten said.

“Things are progressing smoothly,” he said.

According to Weingarten, construction on the south-side abutment for the bridge’s new eastbound span was recently completed by Zenith Tech, the project’s prime contractor. Additionally, construction is progressing on the eastbound span’s north-side abutment, which should be completed by the end of the week.

Weingarten noted work has started on the five shafts for the pier on the side of the bridge closest to Escanaba, which is known as “Pier One.”

“They are also now beginning to work on drilling shafts for the (bridge’s) piers,” he said. MDOT expects shafts for Pier One will be drilled and concrete will be poured in the newly-completed shafts by the end of the week.

As is the case for other work on the bridge project, however, Weingarten said this may change.

“That’s dependent on weather,” he said.

Weingarten said MDOT anticipates one more bridge closure will take place before the project is done.

“The earliest possible date for a detour to set the remaining bridge beams … would be sometime in the week of May 14,” he said. This closure is expected to last one day, and MDOT is aiming for a midweek date for the closure.

During the closure period, eastbound traffic will be detoured from U.S. 2 via County Roads 426, 420, and 531 and onto M-35 before returning to U.S. 2. This route will be reversed for westbound traffic.

Weingarten said MDOT is hoping to complete the bridge project later this year.

“We’re optimistic that the project will be completed on time for this fall,” he said.

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