State Senate passes bill to fund immediate repair of bridges

The Michigan State Senate has passed a bill that would spend $1.3 billion of stimulus funds to repair the bridges in the worst shape. The bill allows for bundling, contracting multiple projects at the same time, to help speed up the process and projects are required to be finished by 2025.

It is mandated by law that all bridges be inspected every two years. That database is available online through the Michigan Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Bridges and Structures. It lists each span on a scale of zero to nine. A bridge in poor condition is defined as scoring four or below. It does not break out the poor rating into which are in critical need of repair. According to Senator Ed McBroom, around 400 bridges across the state meet the definition.

Spans throughout the Copper Country are in pretty good shape. Only three are rated poor in all of Houghton and Keweenaw Counties. Baraga County has seven and Ontonagon nine, including the Firesteel Bridges, currently under construction. A map can be seen here.

The bill goes to the House for consideration.