The Washtenaw County Road Commission (WCRC) has received draft construction plans for the safe removal of the cable post-tensioning system on the Maple Road (Foster) Bridge. These plans are currently under review by WCRC staff and the contractor. Once the review is complete and the plans are finalized, the contractor will provide a cost estimate and proposed construction schedule. A construction timeline will be shared with the public when a contract is in place.
Ongoing design work, including WCRC staff and our engineering consultants at Great Lakes Engineering Group and Modjeski & Masters have provided the plans and specifications needed for the cable removal. The bridge, located over the Huron River between Huron River Drive and Country Club Road in Ann Arbor Township, will reopen with a reduced weight posting once the cable system – originally installed to increase load-carrying capacity – is removed. We expect to have the results of a load limit analysis this week. This will be used to determine the new weight posting. The public will be informed of this new weight posting.
WCRC’s Operations Department will continue to monitor and maintain the designated detour route, including the unpaved local roads, to ensure safe and reliable travel for residents and commuters. WCRC is coordinating MDOT Rail maintenance work to coincide with the closure.
WCRC will provide project updates every two weeks on the bridge’s dedicated project page. Residents are encouraged to subscribe for email updates by visiting: https://www.wcroads.org/residents/subscribe-to-road-updates/
We appreciate the public’s patience as we work to assess and promote the safety and stability of the Maple Road (Foster) Bridge.
If you have any questions concerning this project, please contact Aaron Berkholz, Assistant Director of Engineering, at (734) 327- 6648 or [email protected].