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Rising River Forces MDOT to Pack Up

Posted at 12:42 PM, Feb 06, 2013
and last updated 2013-02-06 12:42:33-05

ROBINSON TWP., Mich–  Some homeowners in one Robinson Township neighborhood who are affected by the rising waters of the Grand River are choosing to leave their home. Now, the flood is causing the Michigan Department of Transportation to stop working on one of their big projects and pack up until the water recedes.

Crews have been building a new bridge over the Grand River. It is part of the new M-231 route between M-45 and Nunica.

But, with water creeping further into the construction site, MDOT is moving all of its equipment to higher ground by the end of the day. They will work on projects elsewhere until the water goes back down and work can resume.

“The water level plays a huge part and those ice jams can come out of no where,” said MDOT spokesman, John Richard. “But, crews anticipate that and they move the equipment. We have great survey equipment to watch those water levels.”

Any time lost will be made up later on in the project.

Constriction on the new bridge is set to be completed this year. M-231 is scheduled to open in 2016. it will be the first, new full route in the state since 2004.