Throughout Michigan, bridges are crumbling or outdated. And, some of the worst are Downriver.
According to a study by the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association, 28 percent of bridges are “structurally deficient or functionally obsolete,” which is 3,044 of the state’s 10,831 bridges.
In Wayne County, 56 percent of bridges — 574 of 1026 — are considered poor, the study said.
“Functionally obsolete” is defined as the design being outdated. “Structurally deficient” is defined as a bridge having deteriorating beams, a crumbing deck or other problems that could force its closure.
The study, which focused on bridges longer than 20 feet, rated the bridges on a zero to 100 rating scale, with zero being the worst.
Bridges rated below 80 should be repaired and bridges rated below 50 should be replaced, said Keith Ledbetter, MITA director of legislative affairs.
He said some cities limit weight on bridges by cutting traffic from four lanes to two.
“It’s certainly no long-range solution,” he said.
“It’s equated to putting a tarp on top of your house when your roof leaks.”
In January, the Harrison Street bridge over the South Branch of the Ecorse Creek along the Lincoln Park-Wyandotte city limits was reduced to one lane.
Shortly after, the Lincoln Park City Council voted to close the bridge because of its deterioration.
In the report, it was rated at 30.4.
“I’m kind of running out of ideas on how to fund (bridge repairs),” said Steve Duchane, Lincoln Park’s city manager.
He said that in every estimate the city has gotten, the cost will be about $1 million.
He said the deterioration was found while attempting to resurface it, and the construction company wouldn’t assume the responsibility for safety.
There is a still-open bridge farther down Harrison Street that received a rating of 32.5.
Other bridges in Lincoln Park that fall under a 50 rating are on Hazel Street over the Sexton Kilfoil Drain, with a 37.8 rating, and Frank Street over the North Branch of the Ecorse Creek, with a 48.6 rating.
Elsewhere Downriver, the bridge over North Hickory Canal on East River Road in Grosse Ile received a 49.1 rating.
In Taylor, a bridge over Blakely Drain on Racho Road received a 46.3 rating.
An earlier study by the group says 26 percent of the roads in Michigan are labeled as “poor.”
“Across Michigan, we have sadly reached the point where our road and bridge system is no longer sustainable,” said Mike Nystrom, MITA executive vice president.
“When the percentage of roads and bridges in tough shape climbs to a level this high, policymakers have little choice but to repair and replace the failing ones rather than maintain the others before they will fail, as well.”
The study says that because of declining gas consumption and because cars get better gas mileage, taxes on gasoline no longer fully pay for repairs to roads and bridges.
Also, because of the economy, many motorists are holding onto their older cars. As a result, revenues from Michigan registrations that go toward road and bridge improvement have declined, the study says.
MITA is a privately funded company that represents heavy construction companies all over Michigan.
For more information, go to MITA’s website at www.mi-ita.com or www.drivemi.org.
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LINCOLN PARK — Two businesses sit at the end of the Harrison Street bridge, which the City Council closed in January.
The bridge spans the South Branch of the Ecorse Creek into Wyandotte.
The bridge has been closed for 11 months, and the Wyandotte customers who frequent the stores on the Lincoln Park side have all but gone.
Pizza King has been operating there for 34 years. Owner Scott Baker said he has lost almost all of his Wyandotte customers.
“I used to like coming to work,” Baker said. “It’s frustrating.”
He said employees now stand around waiting for business. He said business has dropped by 35 percent to 40 percent.
Baker said he and his wife are forced to work six to seven days a week because they can’t afford to hire enough people.
They had to put their house up for sale.
He said his children are older, so selling the house was their plan eventually, but he didn’t want to be forced out of the house.
He said his landlord and owner of the adjoining business isn’t as lucky.
Steve Korkis has four children. His business, Korkis Market, has lost 40 percent to 50 percent of its business since the bridge closed.
The store has been there for more than 13 years.
“It’s not just complaining about business,” Korkis said. “It’s affecting the community.”
Ryan Kollar, who lives in Lincoln Park, said he has a hard time traversing the five-minute reroute up to Fort Street, through two Michigan left turns and back down Goddard.
Baker said that rather than go through the hassle, Wyandotte residents go elsewhere.
“It’s slowly financially destroying both our stores,” he said. “It’s kind of a dead-end street now.”