05/04/2026
BEITNER UPDATE:
We know that everyone is as ready as we are to get the Beitner crossing replacement started, and to reopen this important connection in our community. As you are aware, this crossing was slated to be replaced with a full bridge over the river in early 2027. Because of this, progress had already been made on the extensive years long process to build a bridge. This means that the design of the bridge had already begun, and was immediately expedited when the failure occurred during the flooding disaster. A full replacement like we are facing, takes far longer than repairs to damaged roads and culverts. This is why you see our crews actively working out on places like Brown Bridge and Sawyer Road, but not at Beitner. These are repair projects that we can tackle immediately, while unfortunately a bridge installation is not. We can assure you that while we understand your frustration with not seeing crews out on Beitner, this does not mean that work is not happening daily on this important project.
We also recognize that along with the loss of this crossing, many of our friends and neighbors in that area suffered devastating losses to their own property. They remain in our thoughts as they navigate through this process of rebuilding as well. Recovering from these types of unexpected events take time, and we understand how challenging it is for everyone.
After the design work for the bridge is completed, next steps include the necessary permitting, like those from EGLE for working in a natural river, as well as the mandatory RFP (Request for Proposals) process to find the contractors, and of course, the securing of the materials needed to complete the job. Each of these are guided by a process from the State that includes timelines and requirements to ensure safety for motorists and sensitivity to our environment. Our partners at MDOT and EGLE are working with us to expedite any of the timelines where possible, with the understanding of how critical this crossing is for our county. Our team began this rebuilding process within hours of the failure and has been consistently working on it since.
Our Congressional and State Representatives and Senators have visited the site, and we are in communication with them to hopefully secure additional funds for this unexpected expense this year. Other projects have been quickly rearranged that were slated to begin this spring to free up resources to prioritize the Beitner crossing. There is a lot of behind the scenes work going on daily for a disaster response of this size, and we are grateful for your understanding.
As originally reported, we are still anticipating atleast a six month timeline for this unexpected project. We are aware of how much frustration this causes and how impactful this closure is on commute times and patience levels. We will continue to update you as we reach each step of the process, so you are aware of the progress right along side of us. We are committed to making this happen as quickly as we can, and truly appreciate everyone’s kindness towards our crews and to each other during this challenging time.
