Open house to discuss I-94 bridge project in Michigan

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) recently announced it will host an open house Tuesday to discuss a bridge replacement project on I-94 over Pipestone Road in Benton Township in Berrien County.

MDOT staff, local business owners, residents and local officials are invited to attend the open house at 4 p.m. Tuesday in the Benton Charter Township Hall at 1725 Territorial Road, Benton Harbor. 

Officials have been conducting a study about replacing the bridges on I-94 that pass over Pipestone Road. The study is almost finished, and MDOT will explain the information to the public and gather comments.

MDOT officials held number of stakeholder meetings designed to include business owners, residents and local officials in the process of replacing bridges and also improving intersections and ramps.

MDOT estimates the $33 million investment would be enough to replace the bridges, rebuild approximately 1 mile of the main I-94 roadway and improve Pipestone Road ramps.

Construction could begin in 2022. 

"It is exciting to consider these improvements for this thriving commercial area. They will certainly benefit the public for the life of these bridges and beyond," MDOT Project Manager Kyle Rudlaff said. "We've worked closely with the community and the consultant to make sure we're designing a project that will serve all kinds of traffic and growth well into the future."