WALKER, Mich. — Drivers in the Walker area should be prepared for significant traffic disruptions this weekend as part of I-96 will be closed to allow for the demolition of the Fruit Ridge Avenue bridge.
The closure is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Friday and will last until 6 a.m. Monday. During this time, both directions of I-96 will be blocked off, and motorists will be required to exit at Fruit Ridge Avenue. Drivers will be able to re-enter the highway immediately after exiting, but they will not be permitted to travel north or south on Fruit Ridge Avenue. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is advising all travelers to plan alternate routes to avoid delays.
In addition to the I-96 closure, 3 Mile Road will also be affected. From 6 p.m. Friday through 6 a.m. Monday, 3 Mile Road will be closed between Kinney Avenue and Elmridge Drive. While this section of the road will be shut down, local businesses along 3 Mile Road will remain accessible for customers.
The Fruit Ridge Avenue bridge has been a point of concern for several years, as it was built in 1961 and no longer meets the needs of the growing industrial area. The existing bridge, which is only two lanes, has struggled to handle the volume of traffic, especially as the roadways around it are five lanes wide. As part of a modernization effort, MDOT is widening the bridge and adding pedestrian and cycling lanes to improve safety and accessibility.
The Fruit Ridge Avenue bridge has been closed between 3 Mile and Northridge Drive since Monday, with construction crews working to make significant improvements. MDOT officials say that the project is part of a broader effort to upgrade infrastructure in the region and accommodate the increasing traffic demand.
Drivers are encouraged to follow posted detours and exercise caution around construction zones throughout the weekend.
