NEWBERRY – The Michigan Department of Transportation is advising that work is set to begin this month to repair two M-48 overpasses over I-75 in Chippewa County.
MDOT says it is spending about $5 million on the work, which includes deck overlays; deck, substructure and structural patching; railing replacement; expansion joint replacement; partial painting; beam end cutting; and approach work.
The project includes two separate structures to be repaired in two stages.
Stage 1 is the M-48 overpass over I-75 to the south connecting M-129 to Mackinac Trail.
Stage 2 is the M-48 overpass over I-75 to the north near Rudyard.
Work will require closing both structures with detours, MDOT said in a news release.
It said the start date for Stage 1 is Monday, April 29 with an estimated end date for Stage 1 of Friday, Oct. 18.
The estimated end date for the whole project is Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, when both overpasses are expected to be complete.
MDOT said traffic restrictions (Stage 1) are:
- I-75: Northbound and southbound I-75 will be reduced to one lane each, speed will be reduced to 45 mph where workers present, and a 12-foot width restriction will be in place.
- M-48: Will be closed at I-75. Eastbound and westbound traffic will be detoured to M-129, Mackinac Trail, and M-80.
Based on economic modeling, the investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 61 jobs, MDOT said.
The work is designed to extend the service life of the existing overpasses "to maintain safe roadways for all users".
