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Bridge to be closed

Detour to begin Monday for Second Avenue Bridge work

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Alpena Department of Public Works employee Justin Weaver sets up a detour sign that will help to guide motorists around the Second Avenue Bridge, which will be close Monday until the end of the month. The bridge work is expected to wrap up in June.

ALPENA — The City of Alpena and the contractor in charge of the maintenance project of Second Avenue Bridge are taking steps this winter to reduce the time it will need to be closed in the spring.

Assistant City Engineer Steve Shultz said the bridge will be closed from Jan. 2 until the end of the month to allow for sandblasting and painting to be done to portions of it and as a result it will be opened more during peak traffic and business time later in the year.

He said even though there will be work done on the bridge this winter, not all of the painting will be able to be completed and a closure still will be needed in the spring.

“Painting can be held up because of cold temperatures, so they may not be able to get it all done, but they they are able to provide heat in some areas and work there now,” Shultz said. “They will have to wait until spring to do the work on the outside of the bridge for sure though.”

No matter when the bridge is closed there is a chance some businesses will be impacted, as there will be a lengthy detour to get to them. Shultz said shortening the time the bridge will be closed in the spring will allow help businesses that are typically busier then than in the winter.

The business owners on the north side can get updates in the progress of the projects, as well as any changes made to it. Shultz said the city held public information forums and some business owners signed up for email alerts and the city sends out email blasts to everyone signed up for the updates when needed.

When the bridge closes there will be plenty of signage to assist residents and visitors on how to get to the other side of town. Shultz said there also will be signs that will encourage people to visit the businesses on the other side of the river.

“We will have signs that tell people that the businesses are still open and all they have to do is follow the detour to get to them,” he said.

The planned detour will direct traffic down Chisholm Street to Ninth Avenue and then Oldfield Street and will allow people to get to their homes or businesses in that area.

It has been more than 30 years since there has been expanded maintenance of the bridge and the total cost of the project is $2.75 million, with the federal government paying 90 percent of the cost. The Michigan Department of Transportation and the city will pick up the balance.

Shultz said the project is moving along smoothly and on schedule. The city has been getting updates on the progress every two weeks. It is estimated the project will be completed in June.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached via email at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5689. Follow Steve on Twitter ss_alpenanews. Read his blog, Upon Further Review … at www.thealpenanews.com.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Alpena Department of Public Works employee Justin Weaver sets up a detour sign that will help to guide motorists around the Second Avenue Bridge, which will be close Monday until the end of the month. The bridge work is expected to wrap up in June.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz
Alpena Department of Public Works employee Justin Weaver sets up a detour sign that will help to guide motorists around the Second Avenue Bridge, which will be close Monday until the end of the month. The bridge work is expected to wrap up in June.

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