I-94 in Detroit reopens after Second Avenue Bridge successfully moved into place

Both directions of I-94 between I-75 and Lodge Freeway have been closed

Second Avenue Bridge (WDIV)

DETROIT – Both directions of I-94 between I-75 and the Lodge Freeway reopened Friday morning.

Lanes were closed for seven days as crews moved the Second Avenue bridge over I-94 in Detroit.

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I-94 closed at 4 a.m. on Friday (July 22.) The bridge move required closing both directions of I-94 between I-75 and M-10 (Lodge Freeway) for seven days.

Watch: Time-lapse video shows Second Avenue Bridge construction over I-94 in Detroit

The following restrictions will remain in place:

  • The left lane of westbound I-94 will remain closed at Second Avenue until sunset on Sunday, July 31.
  • The ramp from northbound M-10 to eastbound I-94 will remain closed until Monday, August 1.
  • The ramp from westbound I-94 to northbound M-10 will remain closed until early October.

This is Michigan’s first network-tied arch bridge

Second Avenue Bridge (MDOT)

The new Second Avenue structure will be the first network-tied arch bridge built in Michigan.

The Second Avenue bridge was originally built in 1954 and has never been replaced.

Crews working on the Second Avenue Bridge on July 22, 2022. (WDIV)

Network refers to the cables that are crossed from the top of the arch to the bottom of the driving surface on both sides of the structure. The design makes it so a center pier isn’t necessary, which will accommodate the future I-94/M-10 interchange.

The skeleton of the bridge was built off-site at the Wayne State University Palmer parking lot. While the skeleton was built, crews worked on-site building the bridge foundation and abutment walls along the I-94 freeway.

Crews working on the Second Avenue Bridge on July 22, 2022. (WDIV)

Crews will use self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs) to move the skeleton of the bridge across the freeway. The skeleton will be secured into the new bridge supports on each side of I-94. The skeleton weighs 1,100 tons.

After the bridge has been moved, a new driving surface will be built on the skeleton of the bridge. There will be additional closures before the bridge opens to traffic.

The Second Avenue bridge is expected to reopen to traffic this fall. Click here to learn more.

View: Live traffic map

Crews working on the Second Avenue Bridge on July 22, 2022. (WDIV)

About the Author:

Kayla is a Web Producer for ClickOnDetroit. Before she joined the team in 2018 she worked at WILX in Lansing as a digital producer.