Bethel Church Road Short-Span Bridge
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General Information The Bethel Church Road Short-Span Bridge over the Bauer Drain is located between Alber Road and Parker Road, in Sections 30 and 31 of Lodi Township.
The original structure (circa 1950s) was posted at 10-tons after an inspection in 2000, prior to its closure on July 6, 2007.
Background
On July 6, 2007, the Washtenaw County Road Commission CLOSED the old Bethel Church Road Short-Span Bridge over Bauer Drain in Lodi Township upon the completion of a routine biennial bridge inspection.
In 1990, mudmats were placed on the structure as a temporary repair and as a result, it was posted at 20 tons. In 2000, after the inspection, the Bethel Church Road Bridge was reduced from 20 tons to 10 tons. In 2005, after the inspection, the structure maintained a posting of 10 tons. In 2007, for the safety of the motoring public, the bridge inspector advised the Road Commission to immediately close the structure due to severe deterioration and failure of the superstructure (mudmats, deck, and beams).
(Read more about this bridge closure)
Project Updates
Update as of November 21, 2007The Washtenaw County Road Commission announced that the replacement of the Bethel Church Road Short-Span Bridge has been completed, and the road officially reopened to the motoring public at 3:00 p.m., on Wednesday, November 21, 2007. This bridge replacement included the installation of a specially-treated timber deck fabricated by the Krenn Bridge Company, out of Vicksburg, Michigan, as well as new concrete abutment caps and guardrails.
Update as of October 29, 2007A specially-treated timber deck has been ordered and is being fabricated by the Krenn Bridge Company, out of Vicksburg, Michigan. Delivery of the deck is expected by mid-November and a Road Commission Operations crew will complete the installations as soon as possible thereafter.
Update as of August 9, 2007A material quote for a superstructure replacement has been requested by the Road Commission.
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Contact Information
If you have any questions regarding these updates on Washtenaw County bridges and culverts, contact Kelly Jones, P.E., Bridge Engineer, at (734) 327-6647, between 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., or via email at: jonesk@wcroads.org.