WATERFORD TWP. (WWJ) -- An Oakland County bridge used by thousands of drivers daily has been shut down for emergency repairs, after a giant hole was discovered.
The Road Commission for Oakland County said the hole was found on the Pontiac Lake Road bridge over the Clinton River in Waterford Township.
RCOC spokesperson Craig Bryson said the bridge was already planned to be replaced, with work scheduled to begin in June, but the project was moved up to keep drivers safe.
The bridge was built in 1963.
"We knew this bridge was in a deteriorated shape," Bryson told WWJ on Friday. "Again, we didn't think it was at great risk of collapsing, even with a hole in it. But... the hole itself could be dangerous if somebody's tire falls into it, you blow out or whatever."
"So, even short of collapsing, it could've been a dangerous situation, and we don't want that," he said. "And we certainly don't want to risk anything like a bridge collapse."
The road will remain closed through October for the bridge replacement project, which will cost around $3.5 million, according to the RCOC.
The project will include:
- Removing the current structure and pedestrian bridge.
- Replacing the old structure with a pre-cast concrete bridge, new headwalls and wingwalls.
- Placing a pedestrian walkway on the north side of the new bridge.
- Repaving the road in the vicinity of the new bridge with asphalt.
- Improving the storm sewer in the vicinity of the bridge.
- Placing new guardrail.
- Relocating a township watermain.
During the closure, residential and business access will be maintained east and west of the bridge replacement work, which is between Irwin Drive and North Pine Grove Avenue.
Pedestrian access over the Clinton River is also closed during construction, and recreational access to the river under the bridge is prohibited, RCOC said.
The detour for through traffic is Airport Road to Highland Road (M-59) to Crescent Lake Road, back to Pontiac Lake Road and vice versa.
The road commission says more than 7,300 drivers use the bridge every day.
More information and updates about this project can be found at this link.