BRONSON (WTVB) - The new M-86 bridge over Matteson Creek in Branch County was reopened to traffic this week in time for holiday travelers. The span over the creek had been closed since July Sixth before vehicles once again started to use it the day before yesterday.
Completion of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) project was delayed because of complications with utilities. Despite the delays, work progressed far enough to reopen the road to traffic for the winter. Contractors will return next spring to complete some minor paving work.
MDOT rebuilt about a quarter-mile of M-86 from Farrand Road to west of Babcock Road as part of the $2.6 million project. No local monies were involved. The next major bridge work in the county is scheduled to begin in mid-March with the replacement of the U-S 12 bridge over the Prairie River. One lane of traffic will be maintained during the work which is expected to take about seven months to complete.
