Sterling Heights

Bridge over Clinton River reopens early

By Cortney Casey
C & G Staff Writer

Mark Yearkey has never been happier to gaze out upon the roadway.

The owner of Marquee Marque Pasties, on Van Dyke, has been vocally dismayed about the condition of the bridge spanning the Clinton River, on the Sterling Heights/Utica border, just south of M-59.

And now, he’s vocally celebratory over the rehabilitated bridge’s like-new state.

“It’s done and looks fabulous. … We are all very excited here in the plaza that now traffic will be back to normal — or even more traffic, now that it is such a smooth ride,” he said.

The Macomb County Department of Roads announced June 21 that the bridge work was finished, with all lanes open to traffic, several weeks ahead of schedule. The original plans called for completion in early to mid-July.

“It’s beautiful,” said Department of Roads Director Bob Hoepfner. “We’re very, very happy. It needed to be done, and now it is.”

Hoepfner said traffic seemed to flow fairly well throughout the project, which necessitated lane closures since March.

“It went very smoothly, actually,” he said. “Traffic moved pretty good during construction.”

Besides eradicating the previously pitted pavement, the work revamped pedestrian access, adding a fence and a wall to separate the sidewalk that previously directly abutted the road, he said.

Other projects continue elsewhere in Sterling Heights. On 17 Mile between Van Dyke and Mound the roadway will be reduced to one lane in each direction for about six to eight weeks to accommodate concrete pavement repairs.

The curb lane on the south side of 15 Mile from Dodge Park Road to the ITC Corridor is shut down for two to 2 1/2 months while crews perform repairs on the Oakland-Macomb Interceptor, as is one of two right turn lanes leading from northbound Maple Lane onto 15 Mile.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Cortney Casey at ccasey@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1046.