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MDOT gives behind the scenes look at I-75 Rouge River Bridge construction

Posted at 5:55 PM, May 02, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-02 17:55:34-04

You may have gotten used to it by now, but that doesn’t mean you have to like it. If you are used to taking I-75 South between Detroit and Southgate, you are dealing with traffic as you work to get around the River Rouge Bridge Construction Project.

So how is work going on the two year long project? The Michigan Department of Transportation took Seven Action News behind the scenes.

Crews are working on the project around the clock, working to remove and replace concrete on a more than mile long stretch of the I-75. They are also reconstructing bridges at Goddard Road.

“I think we are doing quite well. We are moving the concrete and when it is all said and done we are going to have a bridge we can be proud of,” said Bill Erban, Michigan Department of Transportation Project Manager.

It is a massive undertaking. The more than $145 million project that started in February is expected to take a total of 2 years to complete. During that entire time - Southbound I75 is going to be closed at the site. MDOT says it is about efficiency and safety. First responders would not be able to get through if there were two directions open during construction.

MDOT is hearing some complaints about the noise from people who live near the bridge construction work. It has sound monitors out measuring the noise. MDOT is asking anyone severely impacted to report it.

“It is really impossible to do it without making noise,” said Erban.  “…We are trying to respond to community needs and we are also trying to build a bridge.

MDOT says once the project is complete it should with maintenance last about 50 years.