By Jim Bloch
The Michigan Department of Transportation will host a public open house to discuss the first phase of improvements to the Blue Water Bridge Plaza, known as Component 1.
The event will be held 2-6 p.m., Tuesday, March 11, in the MDOT Blue Water Bridge Annex, 2127 11th Ave., Port Huron.
Residents, city officials, local businesses and MDOT staff and contractors will be able to inspect project information and learn about important updates. MDOT staff will be on hand to answer questions.
MDOT announced the open house in a Feb. 19 press release.
“This meeting will provide the public with an update on the project before work is scheduled to begin this spring,” said MDOT. “Component 1 will include relocating the eastbound I-94/I-69 exit to M-25 (Pine Grove Avenue), reconfiguring the 10th Avenue/Pine Grove Avenue intersection, rebuilding eastbound I-94/I-69 at the MDOT maintenance facility location, and installing of noise walls along the eastbound I-94/I-69 exit to Pine Grove Avenue as well as along the Garfield Street on ramp to westbound I-94/I-69 Business Loop (BL) south to the Black River Bridge.”
Planning for the plaza expansion is now in its 16th year. The Federal Highway Administration issued a Record of Decision for the overall corridor expansion project in 2009. The financial crash of 2008 meant funding shortfalls that led to a downscaling of the plaza expansion, which was put on hold while other components of plan moved forward, such as freeway construction, rebuilding the Black River Bridge, and erecting a new visitors center.
“The project will provide safe, efficient, and secure movement of people and goods across the Canadian‐U.S. border in the Port Huron area to support the economies of Michigan, Ontario, Canada, and the United States,” MDOT said.
Attendees who require mobility, visual, hearing, written, or other assistance for effective participation should contact Orlando Curry at 517-241-7462 or CurryO@Michigan.gov, preferably at least five business days prior to the scheduled meeting, the department said. “Forms are located on the Title VI webpage,” MDOT said. “Requests made after this timeframe will be evaluated and honored to the extent possible.”
Jim Bloch is a freelance writer based in St. Clair, Michigan. Contact him at bloch.jim@gmail.com.
