Detroit, MI - The Michigan Department of Transportation reminds motorists that moving the Second Avenue bridge over I-94 in Detroit will start Friday, July 22.
The move will require closing both directions of I-94 between I-75 and M-10 (Lodge Freeway) for seven days.
The closure of I-94 will begin at 4 a.m. Friday, July 22. During the closure, eastbound I-94 traffic will be diverted to southbound M-10, then northbound I-75 back to eastbound I-94. Westbound I-94 traffic will follow southbound I-75, then westbound I-96 back to westbound I-94.
Beginning at 1 a.m. Friday, July 22, all entrance ramps to eastbound I-94 will be closed from 30th Street (just west of Warren Avenue) to Chrysler Drive while all entrance ramps to westbound I-94 will be closed from Mt. Elliott Street to Trumbull Avenue. Weather permitting, the I-94 freeway and ramps will reopen by 4 a.m. Friday, July 29.
The new Second Avenue structure will be the first network tied arch bridge built in the state of Michigan. Network refers to the cables that are crossed from the top of the arch to the bottom of the driving surface on both sides of the structure. This innovative design eliminates the need for a center pier, which will accommodate the future I-94/M-10 interchange.
Moving the skeleton of the bridge across the freeway will be done using self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs), which are multi-axled rolling platforms. The skeleton will then be secured onto the new bridge supports on each side of I-94. Afterward, a team of engineers will conduct detailed inspections prior to reopening the freeway.
After the move, a new driving surface will be built on the skeleton of the bridge. Additional short-term closures will be required before opening to traffic.
The Second Avenue bridge was originally built in 1954 and has never been replaced. Additional information on the Second Avenue bridge can be found here. Follow the I-94 modernization project on the web at https://I94Detroit.org or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/I94Detroit or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/I94Detroit.