In Lyon Township, Oakland County, the locals have been served a hard pill to swallow – their Martindale Road bridge, standing strong since 67 years connecting Pontiac Trail and 12 Mile Road, will not be open for use starting from August 26. The bridge will stay shut reportedly till at least sometime 2025 when it is anticipated to be rebuilt and reintroduced to the residents and regular commuters.
Over recent months, the condition of this old structure has worsened quickly. The governing body overseeing the roads in Oakland County stated that they have closely been watching the deterioration of the bridge. Now, it seems like an emergency closure is unavoidable.
The bridge spans across the Novi-Lyon Drain presenting drivers with dirt roads under their wheels. The regular footfall of vehicles on this bridge is nearly 600 a day. While the full closure of the bridge might lead to inconvenience for some, residents can still get around. It has been ensured that folks would be free to get to their homes and businesses north or south of the bridge.
Those who wish to pass through the area will need to reroute their course taking Pontiac Trail west, then diverting to Pontiac Trail south, making a turn at 11 Mile Road east, and finally getting back to Martindale. The same route applies in reverse.
Even before this unfortunate need for emergency closure, there already were plans in place to replace the bridge in 2025 with a budget of $3 million. Seems like, the bridge had lived its life to its potential, after all. It is not just the Martindale Road bridge, but the Lyon Township too will see 12 Mile Road bridge and Spaulding Road bridge over the Novi-Lyon Drain getting replaced in 2025 at projected costs of $2.5 million and $2.6 million respectively.
