Lapeer County, MI — The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) temporarily shut down the M-90 bridge over the North Branch Flint River on Thursday night, September 25, for critical deck pouring work. The overnight closure, which lasted from 6 p.m. until 5 a.m. Friday, was part of a larger $3.5 million investment aimed at extending the bridge’s lifespan and improving safety for motorists.
Traffic Disruption and Detour Routes
Motorists traveling through the area faced detours via M-24 (Lapeer Road), Burnside Road, and Fish Lake Road during the 11-hour closure. MDOT scheduled the work overnight to minimize daytime traffic disruption, but local residents and commercial drivers still experienced longer travel times on rural routes.
Because deck pouring is highly weather-dependent, any rainfall could have delayed the work further. MDOT confirmed it worked closely with local emergency services to ensure first responders could still access the area throughout the closure.
Part of a Larger Rehabilitation Project
The overnight closure is just one piece of a broader rehabilitation plan for the M-90 corridor, stretching from M-24 to the west village limits of North Branch. Beyond deck pouring, the project includes resurfacing, guardrail improvements, substructure repairs, painting, scour protection, and deck patching. These upgrades are designed to strengthen the bridge against Michigan’s tough freeze-thaw cycles and heavy traffic loads.
According to MDOT, the project is expected to support around 33 construction and engineering jobs in the region. While modest, these jobs bring a local economic boost and demonstrate how infrastructure investment has ripple effects beyond transportation.
Statewide Infrastructure Concerns
Governor Gretchen Whitmer highlighted the importance of projects like this in Michigan’s broader infrastructure campaign. “Across Michigan, we are moving dirt and fixing the damn roads to grow our economy, helping Michiganders go to work, drop their kids off at school and run errands safely,” she said.
The M-90 bridge work comes at a time when Michigan is grappling with aging infrastructure. Nearly two-thirds of MDOT-managed bridges have already outlived their intended design lifespan. Without significant funding, more than 100 trunkline bridges could face closure by 2035, according to state transportation officials.
Other high-profile projects highlight the scale of the issue. For example, the M-14 bridge over the Huron River in Ann Arbor, built in 1956, is due for a replacement expected to cost $150 million — more than four times the annual budget for an entire MDOT district.
Looking Ahead
This season alone, Michigan’s infrastructure program aims to repair or replace nearly 24,500 lane miles of roads and 1,900 bridges statewide. By focusing on targeted repairs like the M-90 bridge rehabilitation, MDOT seeks to maximize the life of existing structures while ensuring safer travel for the millions of drivers who depend on them every year.
For residents and businesses in Lapeer County, the overnight closure was inconvenient but necessary. Once complete, the project will not only improve safety but also provide longer-lasting value for the community and surrounding region.
