Urgent Bridge Repair on I-75 over 12 Mile to Begin Jan. 16

Urgent structural repairs to the Interstate 75 bridges over 12 Mile Road in Madison Heights will begin Jan. 16, requiring various lanes closures through mid-March, the Michigan Department of Transportation said. 

The repair work will require around-the-clock lane closures on 12 Mile Road until mid-March, along with lane closures and traffic shifts on I-75, according to MDOT.

Deficiencies in the support mechanisms of the I-75 bridge over 12 Mile Road were discovered during a routine inspection of the bridge. MDOT inspects older bridges every six months. Newer bridges get inspected every two years. The bridge is question is inspected yearly, MDOT spokesman Rob Morosi said.

On Jan. 16, crews will close lanes on 12 Mile Road to move in equipment and place temporary supports under the bridges. I-75 lane closures are expected to begin five to seven days later.

“It’s imperative to take traffic off the lanes while work is being done,” Morosi said. “Vibration of traffic can impede the curing and strength of concrete.”

Beginning Jan. 16 the schedule is as follows:

• Northbound I-75 will have lane closures and traffic shifts for 10 days and the eastbound 12 Mile Road loop ramp to northbound I-75 will be closed.
• When that work is completed, southbound I-75 will have two lanes open with a traffic shift. The westbound 12 Mile Road loop ramp to southbound I-75 will be closed for an additional 10 days.
• The dual left-turn lanes from southbound Stephenson Highway to eastbound 12 Mile Road, and from the northbound I-75 exit ramp to westbound 12 Mile Road, will be reduced to a single lane on an intermittent basis.

MDOT reminds motorists while restrictions on I-75 are in effect work is taking place below and progress is being made.