WELLS — Recent conditions on the Escanaba River have impacted work on the U.S. 2 and 41 bridge over the river. However, Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Communications Representative for the Superior Region Dan Weingarten stated that work on the project continues.

“Despite a couple of weeks delay due to heavy spring runoff and high water levels, the Escanaba River Bridge project is now moving along smoothly,” Weingarten said.

Zenith Tech, the project’s prime contractor, is now done pouring concrete for all 10 of the drilled shafts that will be used to anchor two new piers supporting the bridge’s eastbound lanes.

Last Wednesday, work on the wall for the bridge abutment on the side of the bridge closest to Gladstone was finished. This week, crews will start working to form another abutment on the side of the bridge closest to Escanaba.

Weingarten expects a bridge closure to take place later this month to allow for bridge beam placement.

“We’re tentatively looking to schedule a detour to place beams for the new bridge deck at the end of June,” he stated. This detour is expected to last one day, and an exact date and time for the closure will be announced in the future.

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 reminded drivers to be careful while driving across the U.S. 2 and 41 bridge over the Escanaba River.

“As the summer travel season ramps up, MDOT wants to remind everyone passing through this work zone to slow down, drive cautiously and don’t let yourself get distracted,” he wrote.

He also thanked drivers in the area for their continued cooperation with work on the bridge.

“We appreciate everyone’s patience while we work to finish this important bridge project,” Weingarten stated.