Michigan Bridge Closures Due to Flooding

in progress

Record rainfall and flooding in Michigan caused the closure of 22 bridges across 13 counties, with two bridges collapsing. The closures affected bridges on public roads that are 20 feet or longer, including a 66-year-old bridge in Iron County and a bridge in poor condition in Van Buren County. At least half of the closed bridges have since reopened. The flooding highlights the issue of aging and underfunded infrastructure vulnerable to intense storms, with over 1,200 bridges in poor or worse condition statewide. The estimated cost to replace these bridges is about $6.8 billion, split between state-owned and locally owned bridges.