Grand Rapids Reporter

The Byron Road bridge over the Black River is once again open, a recent press release from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office said.

It is the fifth bridge to be renovated under the Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) Rebuilding MI Bridges program.

"The bridge bundling program has been a very collaborative effort between MDOT, local agency bridge owners, and other stakeholders, especially for this key bridge crossing in Ottawa County," Brett Laughlin, managing director of the Ottawa County Road Commission, said in the release. "It is a vital route for residential and commercial use, so making these needed repairs is essential for the community. We are hopeful the Legislature will continue the program to offer an efficient and economical solution to improve the bridge infrastructure throughout the state.”

Rebuilding MI Bridges is a pilot program initiated by the State to rehabilitate 19 municipal bridges that are considered to be in dire need of repair, with the scope of work involving the replacing of the bridge’s superstructure along with removal and replacement of the bridge deck and supporting beams, the release said.

"The reopening of the Byron Road bridge is something for drivers in Ottawa County to celebrate," Whitmer said in the release. "Thanks to our hard work, we are moving dirt to fix roads and bridges across Michigan to keep drivers safe and save them time and money. Since I took office through the end of 2022, we will fix over 16,000 lane miles of road and more than 1,200 bridges, supporting nearly 89,000 jobs. We’re fixing our infrastructure with the right mix and materials, so it stays fixed. Last year, I signed a bipartisan bill that will fix 59 additional bridges across the state and today I am proud that our efforts through the Rebuilding MI Bridges program continue to make progress, this time on the Byron Road bridge over the Black River.”

Funds for the project are from the Federal Highway Improvement Program, with preliminary design and construction administration being conducted by MDOT officials, the release said.  

Whitmer added that the renovations of the brides will support well-paying jobs and enhance much-needed infrastructure.