The Michigan Department of Transportation announced on April 6 that it will begin improvements to the M-66 bridge over the Muskegon River in eastern Osceola County, with work scheduled to start on April 13. The project, which is expected to cost about $5 million, includes substructure repair, joint replacement, steel repair, painting, and approach work. The bridge is located between US-10 and M-115 near Evart.
The closure of M-66 will require drivers to use a detour via US-10 and M-115 until the estimated completion date in mid-November. According to MDOT, this investment is projected to directly and indirectly support 42 jobs through economic modeling. The department said that the repairs are intended to improve ride quality and extend the service life of the bridge.
MDOT manages nearly 10,000 miles of state highways and more than 4,800 bridges across Michigan according to its official website. Its responsibilities also include maintaining non-motorized trails, railroad tracks, airports, public transit programs, aviation initiatives, safety standards for transportation infrastructure such as M routes like M-66 according to MDOT.
The department operates statewide with more than 2,800 employees working in seven regions and numerous facilities according to its official website. Leadership at MDOT consists of a director along with key executives such as a chief administrative officer and chief operations officer according to its official website.
MDOT’s mission centers on serving people and communities while supporting economic activity through transportation efforts according to its official website. The agency’s broad scope ensures that projects like the upcoming M-66 bridge improvements contribute not only local but also statewide connectivity.
