A major bridge that allows east-west traffic along the Upper Peninsula’s southern shoreline will close for five days later this month for inspections, the Michigan Department of Transportation said.
The Heath M. Robinson Memorial Cut River Bridge on U.S. 2 in Mackinac County will undergo inspections from Monday, Oct. 27, through Oct. 31, the MDOT announced Monday in a news release.
U.S. 2 traffic will detour to Cut River Road and Prater Boulevard while the Upper Peninsula bridge undergoes survey scanning, “reach-all” inspections and soil borings.
Traffic along the detour will be limited to 45 mph. MDOT said over-width permits won’t be issued for the detour section.
The inspections will help ensure continued safe and reliable operation of the bridge, MDOT said.
According to MDOT, the average annual daily traffic for U.S. 2 is about 5,200 to 6,600 vehicles, depending on the section of the highway tracked.
What is the Cut River Bridge?
First built in 1947, the Cut River Bridge is one of two cantilevered deck truss bridges in Michigan and gives sweeping views of the Cut River Gorge and Lake Michigan, according to the St. Ignace website.
A long stairway leads down into the shaded valley that was carved by the Cut River. The hiking trails offer a great spot for birdwatching, scenic overlooks and photo opportunities.
The bridge is 641 feet long and is composed of more than 888 tons of structural steel. Along with the bridge, there is also a roadside park that visitors can stop at and enjoy the view of Lake Michigan and the mouth of the Cut River Gorge.
The park provides picnic areas, restrooms, and access to the river.
Where is the Cut River Bridge?
The Cut River Bridge is located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula along U.S. 2, 26 miles northwest of St. Ignace, and east of Epoufette
Who is Heath M. Robinson?
The Cut River Bridge was named in honor of Heath M. Robinson after he, along with 30 American military personnel and eight members of the Afghan military, was killed when a Chinook helicopter was shot down in 2011 by insurgents in Wardak Province, Afghanistan.
The bridge was renamed in 2015 to honor the 34-year-old from Petoskey, Michigan.
Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Major bridge on US 2 in UP will close for inspections. What to know about MDOT project
Reporting by Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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