Published: May 28, 2009 07:00 am      

Bridge replacement will detour traffic

MANTON -- A major bridge replacement project north of Manton will detour traffic for up to nine months.

A $3 million project to remove an existing bridge over the Manistee River on U.S. 131 in Wexford County will be funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, along with other earmark funding. Work is scheduled to begin in September, when traffic will begin to be re-routed.

Crews will build a new bridge once the existing one is completely removed. The new bridge is expected to be completed by Memorial Day next year, weather permitting.

Residents and business owners can question Michigan Department of Transportation officials about the work at an open house meeting on Thursday, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall, 407 State St. in Manton.